Local mosque feels
sting of FBI scrutiny
Drew Endick & Azzah Ahmed
editor-in-chief & managing editor
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the Islamic
Education Center (IEC) located on Montrose
Road in Potomac, was one of several
properties whose financial assets were frozen
as part of an ongoing federal investigation on
the New York City-run Alavi Foundation.
The local mosque, K-12 school and
charitable and medical center serves for
a community of Shia Muslims who are
predominately first or second generation
United States citizens originally from Iran.
IEC, run by resident Alim and expert in Islamic

Students prepare for
annual POTH event
Aleks Timrots
staff writer
On Thursday, Dec. 10, Senior Planning
will host Puttin’ on the Hitz (POTH) to
entertain students, staff, and the Wootton
community. POTH is an annual fun-filled
night of dancing and lip-synching acts.
Each year, POTH has a specific theme.
Examples of past themes include Thursday
Night Fever and Wootton’s Best Dance Crew.
“The majority of Senior Planning voted
on True Life: I’m Addicted to Lip-synching,
or some variation of that,” Senior Planning
member Jessie Rubin said.
All students at the school can participate
in POTH. This year one band, 11 individual
acts, four class acts, the Student Government
Association (SGA) and the Woottonettes will
perform. All of the individual acts perform
during the first half of the show, and the class
see POTH, page 5

photo courtesy of Debbie Dillon

CoachGregMallingtookoverthePatriotsfootballprograminthefallof2005.Whileheadcoach,heledthe
Pats to their first playoff appearance since 1991. The future of his coaching career is still unclear.

Ilana Avergun
editor-in-chief
Mr. Gregory Malling announced his
resignation from his position as Wootton’s
head football coach on Nov. 5. He has held
the position for the last five years and has
been the main force behind the revitalization
of the football program since he took it
over in 2005. He is uncertain as to what his

next career move will be.
Prior to his arrival, the Patriots had
not ended a season with a winning record
in over ten years. Malling’s new leadership
propelled Wootton to not only a successful
season in 2008, but also their first playoff
berth since 1991.
“Coach Malling has turned Wootton
into a legitimate football program in Montsee MALLING, page 14

The weekend after Halloween last year,
senior Andy* decided to smoke marijuana
for the first time. Many of his friends had
already tried smoking, and he was looking
for a new way to have fun. The first time he
smoked, he did not foresee himself using
the drug again.
“[Smoking marijuana] was a one-time
thing,” Andy said. “I wasn’t planning on
doing it more than once.” After his initial
encounter, Andy began to use marijuana on
a more regular basis, sometimes more than
once a week. For a period of time, he sold
marijuana to his friends, but eventually, he
stopped distributing the substance.
“I thought I was too close to getting
caught,” Andy said.
For some high school students, the
fear of being discovered in possession
of an illegal substance is outweighed by
the potential pleasure from marijuana.
According to the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior
Survey, 38.1% of American high school
students have tried marijuana at least once
in their lives. This school year, multiple
students have been caught by authorities
in possession or under the influence of
marijuana. Security guard Gregg Melvin
feels there is a definite presence of the drug
at Wootton.
“I would say [marijuana use at
Wootton] is just like any other high school
in Montgomery County,” Melvin said. “I
don’t think the problem has gone up.”
When he finds that a student has been
abusing the substance, he says he treats
see MARIJUANA, page 21

Senior Jessie Rubin runs her way to national
meet and a college education at Duke

Will Browning
distribution manager

Competing as the only girl from
Montgomery County, senior Jessie Rubin
finished 42nd out of 199 runners at the
Nike Cross Nationals on Saturday, Dec. 5 in
Portland, Oregon.
The Nike Cross Nationals is
compromised of the best boys’ and girls’
cross country runners from around the
country. Each runner has to get through a
preliminary stage — competing with other
runners from their area in a regional qualifying
meet. Rubin finished in seventh place in the
Nike Southeast Region Championship race,
qualifying for nationals.
“It was one of the best days of my life,”
Rubin said. “I was on a runner’s high and was
so pumped from the race.”
Rubin was named the Gazette’s Girls’
Runner of the Year for cross country, an
illustrious finish to her career at Wootton.

Rubin competed against 116 other
runners from the southeast area in the 5K
Regional championship race Nov. 28, held
in Cary, North Carolina. Rubin performed
better than she had throughout an undefeated
Montgomery County season.
“I’ve never faced such elite competition,
but I’m so lucky to get this opportunity,”
Rubin said.
Rubin came into the meet unsure
about how she would finish, but as the race
progressed, she gained more confidence.
After hanging with the leaders of the race
throughout the first mile, Rubin dropped
back slightly during the second mile.
Nevertheless, as the race came to its final leg,
she proceeded to move into seventh place
– good enough for a spot in Oregon and a
personal best time of 18 minutes, 5 seconds.
“[Senior] Andrea Maxwell and I both
pushed each other, running together to
prepare for this race,” Rubin said. “But the
real hard training was done earlier in the

season – that’s how I’ve been able to get to
this position.”
Maxwell finished a notable 39th in the
regional race with a time of 18 minutes,
53 seconds and was an honorable mention
selection on the All-Gazette girls’ cross
country team.
As her cross country season comes to a
close, Jessie Rubin will go down as one of the
greatest athletes in Wootton history, and this
season is a testament to just how exceptional
she has been.
Finishing the regular season undefeated,
Rubin settled for nothing less than first place
in each race.
“I’ve gained so much confidence and
experience from all of this, Rubin said. “I
can put everything I’ve learned to use in
the next years in college and even above
that.”
Rubin will be attending Duke University
next year and will run for their cross country
team.

Two simultaneous food drives
seek to profit a local food bank
in the area. Two different groups
at Wootton are collecting canned
food to benefit hungry families in
Montgomery County.
One of the food drives is being
run by special education teacher
Marjorie Kane.
The proceeds of that drive,
which lasts from Dec. 3 until Dec.
17, go to the Manna food center in
Gaithersburg.
This is the second themed food
drive, where all of the proceeds will
go to the Manna Food Bank, in
Montgomery County. Last year the
drive raised a total of 3,486 pounds
of food.
“I want to beat last year’s
number and get more than 4,000
pounds,” Kane said.
The cause is one that will
directly go to Manna in order to
support people under the poverty
line in the county.
Clients of Manna may pick up a
3-5 day supply of food every 30 days
at one of Manna’s many distribution
locations.
The LFI (Learning for
Independence) students also take
the time to help with the drive.
“The students help pass out
flyers as well as [staple] the flyers
onto bags,” Kane said. “If you’re
fortunate enough you should give
back.”
The second of the two food
drives is being run by Wootton’s
Rotary Club to help people in the
county.
The proceeds of that food drive

go to the Manna food center as well.
Rotary
is
a
worldwide
organization
that
provides
humanitarian service, encourages
high ethical standards in all
vocations, and helps build goodwill
and peace in the world.
“We are really proud of all the
support we got from the students
and teachers,” Rotary Club treasurer
Paxton Misra said.
Students are able to donate food
in the bags that are in all the English
classrooms in the building. The class
that donates the most food wins a
doughnut party.
“It is really fun. All of the kids
become competitive, and even if we
don’t win [the food] still goes to a
great cause,” English teacher Ms.
Barbara Gatewood said.
“The [food] drive does more
than send money to organizations,”
Principal Dr. Michael Doran said.
“People don’t realize that there are
families right in our area that are in
need of food.”
“[Donating food] is a great
opportunity for everyone in school
to help people within our own
community that really need it,”
junior Josh Evans said. “It’s the
easiest thing people can to do help
out.”
Maryland’s 7.8 percent poverty
in 2008 rate has increased to 8.3
percent in 2009.
In Montgomery County alone
there are an estimated 918,881
people below the poverty line. That
is an estimated five percent of the
people in the county who are below
the poverty line.
“This is a great cause, because it
is a way to help people who really
need it,” freshman Rebecca Jahnke

Jessica Ding
news editor
Senior Sonya Davey was recently
recognized as a semifinalist in the Siemens
Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
The Siemens Competition is a not-forprofit corporation devoted to rewarding
students who have achieved a comprehensive
understanding in science, math and
technology, with college scholarships ranging
from $1,000 to $100,000.
“I was so happy when I found out I was
a semifinalist. I didn’t think I had a chance
because there were so many participants. I
was so surprised,” Davey said.
Students participating in the competition
must write a research report demonstrating
intensive research in a field of Math, Science,
or Technology. Davey wrote her research
paper on parasites.
Davey has shown extensive knowledge
in the field of science through both her
rigorous school courses, which include AP
Physics, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology,
as well as her internship experience at the
National Institute of Health.
Davey hopes to major in Biophysics, and
would like to be a lawyer or professor when
she grows up.

Civic Hands, a club created this
year by senior Alyssa Feldstein, will
hold a masquerade ball on Friday, Jan.
15, 2010 at Wootton in order to raise
awareness about domestic illiteracy. The
philanthropic organization centers on
helping students understand different
problems occurring in the world today.
“I formed this club primarily to
promote knowledge and change for
problems affecting the globe,” Feldstein
said. “I wanted people to come away
from the meetings having felt like they
understood problems and solutions.”
Civic Hands focuses on both
advocacy and implementation. While
especially devoted to raising awareness
about issues in the community, club
members create methods to actively
combat social problems in accordance
to the Civic Hands mission statement.
“This club is very different than
other community service clubs because
it focuses on current important issues
around the world,” senior club member
Samantha Marshall said.
Currently, the club consists of
about 20 members, with Feldstein as
President, senior Sarah Abutaleb as
Vice President and anatomy teacher Mr.
Jacob Buxton as the club sponsor.
“We want to do something unique
that will get the attention of the student
body while they enjoy themselves at a
social event.” Feldstein said.
The ball is primarily a culmination

photo by Vivian Chen

Alyssa Feldstein discusses plans for the Civic
Hand’s masquerade ball, which is on Jan. 15.

of these ideas, including its main focus
of domestic illiteracy. Club members all
thought that literacy was a significant
global issue.
“We are relying on word of mouth
and want Wootton students to bring
their friends, whether they are from
Wootton or elsewhere,” Feldstein said.
The ball is open to any Montgomery
County Public Schools (MCPS) student
or Wootton guest. It will not be
advertised at other schools.
Civic Hands does recognize a few
problems with the idea of the ball.
Members expressed concern about the
expected number of male attendees as
well as supporting the costs.
Rather than paying for tickets
with money, the club wants students
to donate books for the Invisible
Children foundation. As part of their
“Schools for Schools” program, the
charity foundation is asking for book

donations for Ugandan schools, which
were created to prevent students from
being recruited into the Ugandan Army.
Three books will be equivalent to one
ticket to the ball.
“When we all join together for a
cause, we’ll make the biggest difference
in another person’s way of life,” senior
member Briana Rotello said.
While this event focuses on
domestic illiteracy, they also want to
plan a fundraiser on a relevant issue.
“We also really want to do one
major event in the spring – Lose The
Shoes Tournament to Kick AIDS,”
Feldstein said. The Lose the Shoes
event is a barefoot soccer tournament
in conjunction with David Beckham’s
Grassroot Soccer Foundation.
“I like that our club does something
local which can help areas around the
world,” Rotello said.
Despite its limited publicity, Civic
Hands is optimistic about the growth
of their club and the success of their
planned charitable actions in the future,
especially their masquerade ball.
“I have great trust in Alyssa,
and I think she has the ability to lead
significant projects such as these,”
Buxton said. “I like that club members
choose particular causes that are current
in the world, and important to them.”
Look for more information in the
upcoming weeks about the masquerade
ball and how to obtain a ticket. Flyers
will be hung around the school and
announcements will be posted.
“This is a unique chance to directly
affect a child’s future,” Feldstein said.

News

3

Common Sense - December 9 , 2009

AP Lang. classes
visit art museum

Speaker addresses LGBT issues

Lexi Pace
staff writer
On Nov. 3 and 10 the humanities sections of
the 11th grade AP Language and Composition (AP
Lang.) classes traveled to Washington, D.C. to explore
visual rhetoric at the National Gallery of Art.
A cornerstone of the AP Lang. curriculum
involves deciphering effective methods of rhetoric,
but is typically confined to texts that can be studied
within the classroom. This field trip afforded the
students and teachers alike the opportunity to study
a new, less common form of rhetoric—that which
is expressed through artwork, particularly paintings.
“The students were able to see paint as an
argument,” AP Lang. teacher Ms. Barbara Gatewood
said. “Visual rhetoric is an important part of the AP
Lang. exam, as well as the humanities program.”
The students recognize the importance of their
visit to the National Gallery of Art and were glad to
have the opportunity to advance their understanding
of rhetoric.
“We are lucky to have access to such a good
resource that perfectly fits our unit on visual
rhetoric,” junior Nick Kracov said.
Junior Madison Averill agreed with Kracov, as
she was very deeply moved by the cultural experience
they were presented.
“It was inspiring,” Averill said. “Being able to
view all of the artistc pieces really opened my eyes
to the profession of art. There is so much that an
artist has to say.”
The students were led through the gallery on a
tour given by a museum employee, and were then
able to walk around the museum to appreciate the
various works on their own.
They were offered the chance to talk about the
paintings and hear others’ perceptions. The students
were able to receive real direction from some of the
more knowledgeable tour guides, which enriched
their views.
“It was nice that the students were able to talk

through what they saw with people who actually knew
what they were seeing,” Gatewood said. “However, I
do wish that the tours were more standardized. The
tour that I was on was excellent, but I have heard that
they were not all so informative.”
It was an eye-opening experience for the
students who have only completed one quarter of
the AP Lang. curriculum.
The AP Lang. curriculum in respect to writing is
broken down into the three types of essays written:
rhetorical analysis, free-response and synthesis
essays. The students are currently most experienced
with the rhetorical analysis, but have mostly become
familiar with rhetoric in the form of essay prompts
and studied speeches.
“I got to see rhetoric in a different form that
I hadn’t ever thought about before,” junior Rebecca
Kelly said.
The field trip, which was judged a success by the
teachers and students equally, was not made available
to all AP Lang. students. Only the humanities classes
taught by Gatewood, Ms. Annette Evans and Ms.
Catharine Ferguson were presented the opportunity
to go.
According to Gatewood, it took a lot of effort
to get the trip approved, involving administrative
approval and other various details.
“It was a real process,” Gatewood said. “We
each had to take care of a different part of the [trip
approval]. I’m glad we did it though; I took a lot away
from it.”

Daniel Moon
business manager
On Wednesday, Nov. 18, Vice President of Equality Maryland Dr.
Dana Beyer was invited by the Wootton Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) to
talk about her life stories and issues regarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual,and
transgender community (LGBT).
Beyer’s visit was scheduled in conjunction with The Transgender Day
of Remembrance, observed Nov. 20 and created in memory of the victims
of anti-transgender hatred and violence.
Previously an eye surgeon who traveled around various places in the
United States, Africa and Asia, Beyer has been involved in issues such as
sex education and human sexuality, and was formally the Vice President of
the Maryland National Organization of Women (NOW). She is a nationally
known advocate for gender rights.
Beyer has also advocated for many progressive steps within the
Montgomery County in areas such as banning trans-fats in the county,
approving the Transgender Civil Rights Law and improving human rights.
Now, she is campaigning for the Maryland state delegation.
Spanish teacher Mr. Derrick Ryan has been the club’s sponsor for four
years. He has been an activist for the LGBT community, and has been
helping Beyer’s campaign by reaching out to the community in many ways,
including sending letters to local newspapers.
“She is one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever met,” Ryan said.
Senior Dana Udwin, who has been a member of the GSA throughout
high school, now runs the club as the president. “Dr. Beyer is so inspiring.
It’s her passion and conviction that the situation will get better for
everyone,” Udwin said.
The GSA not only provides room for interaction, but is also a safe
place for students who want to be themselves. They share the difficulties
that some of them encounter for their sexual orientation and discuss ways
to improve understanding between the LGBT and the straight community.
The club is open to anyone who is interested in becoming a part of the
club’s effort to bring awareness and celebrate diversity.
“Come as you are. Strength is in our diversity,” Udwin said.
As an active organization, students invite inspirational speakers and
attend local and national events. On Oct. 11, the club joined the National
Equality March in support of rights for the LGBT community.
“Being different is something we all have in common,” Ryan said.
Although he is glad that Montgomery County has taken progressive
steps to bring equality, Ryan still believes that discrimination against LGBTs
poses a serious danger. Ryan said that national high school bullying based
on sexual orientation grew considerably last year, and that organizations
like the GSA are fighting to protect the victims of the violence.
In addition to activities inside school, the club also keeps in touch with
other GSA Clubs in Montgomery County. Members of the GSA Club in
Richard Montgomery High School were invited to come to listen to the
speaker on Nov. 18.

WOOTTON SHORTS

Student volunteers reach out to wounded veterans

Social Studies Department
Sponsors Toiletry Drive

Eleni Kessler & Emily Burklow
managing editors

Bring unused toiletry items such as
toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap
to social studies classes. Items will
be donated to the Children’s Inn at
NIH.

Senior Planning Collects
Toys for Needy Children

Donate your gently used toys to
the bags in English classrooms until
Dec. 19. Toys will be donated to
children through the Montgomery County Housing Opportunity
Commission.

Candy Grams for Sale
Through Next Week

Candy Grams are available for
purchase for $1 during all lunches
in the cafeteria this week and next
week. Candy Grams will be delivered on Dec. 21-22. Proceeds go to
Senior Planning.

Sheets for Streets Program
Collects Clothing

Operation Fly and the Spanish
Honors Society ask that students
donate clothing and linens to the
receptacles outside the Career
Center to be donated to DC families through “Sheets for Streets.”

The Serving Our Soldiers Club paid a
visit to wounded veterans in the recreational
room at the Bethesda Naval hospital on
Nov. 15.
Club members served food and
socialized with the soldiers and their families.
The club makes frequent trips to the hospital
in order to show their appreciation for the
soldiers’ service and provide a free meal for
them on the weekends.
According to club president junior
Robert Slatkin, the hospital provides meals
for wounded warriors during the week.
However, on the weekends the soldiers must
pay for their own food.
“Most people don’t realize that there is
an issue--that the hospital doesn’t provide
meals on the weekends,” club sponsor Ms.
Jaclynn Rozansky said.
Freshman club member Courtney
Porise sees the emotional as well as financial
impact the student visitors have in the clinic.
“The soldiers are really grateful and
thankful that we come to visit them and
feed them,” Pories said. Students arrange
for a different local restaurant to cater every
time they visit. During this particular trip,
Mamma Lucia donated food to the club.
Since soldiers and their families are
often living far away from home during
rehabilitation, these visits also serve as a
much needed morale boost. Some soldiers
who do not have friends or family staying in
the area value the companionship provided
by the club members.
“Many soldiers do not have many

people to talk to on the weekends,” Pories
said. “They are very happy to see us.” The
visits also emotionally impact students who
attend the events. The stories that soldiers
tell students leave a deep impression on
students.
“I feel so grateful when meeting the
people who risk their lives for me,” Slatkin
said. “It makes me feel lucky to live in the
United States.”
Slatkin’s sister, 2009 Wootton graduate
Ally Slatkin, started the club when she was
a junior. She approached Rozansky after
having learned that hospital cafeterias are
not open on weekends, and wanted to help
the soldiers find free food on these days.
When she graduated last year, her younger
brother decided he would carry on her work.
“My sister started the club two years ago
and I wanted to continue what she started,”
Slatkin said. He hopes to expand the club
while serving as president. He wants to visit
the hospital more frequently and recruit
more students to join the club.
Even though he does not know the
soldiers personally, after the visit he feels a
sincere bond with them.
“When someone thinks about the war,
they don’t really know how it affects the
soldiers who fight,” Slatkin said. Visiting
the troops causes the students to feel a
individual connection to an otherwise
distant war effort.
Pories was also touched by her first
visit to the hospital. Although she does
admit that she was nervous before seeing
the recovering veterans, Pories’ doubts were
gone by the end of the outing.
“At first I was scared [of meeting the

soldiers],” Pories said. “But they were nice
people, really good people.” Leaving the
event, Pories felt a sense of fulfillment about
her volunteering that day.
“I felt good knowing that I brightened
their day,” Pories said. She joined the club
after seeing the booth at the activity expo
in September. She felt spending time with
wounded soldiers was not an opportunity
most people have at such a young age.
Even though the age difference between
Pories and some of the soldiers is not very
great, she was awestruck with their positive
attitude in the face of severe obstacles.
“These soldiers have experienced so
much, and yet they are so hopeful,” Pories
said. “It’s touching.”
Slatkin realizes the significance of
supporting the soldiers no matter what one’s
political affiliations are or what opinions one
holds about the war effort. “It’s important
to support the troops and realize all that
they are doing for us,” Slatkin said.

News

4

Common Sense - December 9 , 2009

Monk goes global Students anticipate ski

trip to Mont Tremblant

Annie Bleecker
staff writer

The past three months have been very busy for
history teacher Mrs. Liliana Monk, with trips to Atlanta,
Georgia and Beijing, China in preparation for National
Geography Week.
Monk traveled to China on Oct. 21-31 to follow up
on past observations. In 1982, Monk worked for the
embassy, allowing her to travel to Beijing several times.
The focus of this year’s trip, however, was for research.
Monk plans to take her observations from her travels in
1982 and compare them to her observations from this
last trip to design a project for the AP Human Geography
students about the development of the city of Beijing.
Monk visited the Beijing Agricultural University to
complete her research.
On Nov. 13-15 Monk gave a presentation in Atlanta,
Georgia for the National Council for Social Studies
(NCSS). There, she collaborated with fellow social
studies teachers about the methods of teaching the large
content in the AP Human Geography course.
“I learned about the Pennies for Peace Charity at the
conference,” Monk said.
Pennies for Peace was the centerpiece for this year’s
National Geography Week, which was on Nov. 15-20.
The charity was designed after author Greg
Mortenson traveled to Pakistan. After witnessing the
living conditions there, he promised to build a school
for those people. There are over 90 schools in Northern
Pakistan.
“By educating and empowering our students, the
conditions in Pakistan should improve,” Monk said.
Monk and fellow AP Human Geography teacher
Mrs. Anne-Marie Steppling are still collecting pennies for
Pennies for Peace in their classrooms.

Neal Lerner
news editor

Through the program Ski Travel, students venture on a ski
trip in January with other high schoolers from the east coast.
This trip is not affiliated with or sponsored by Wootton, except
for the fact that many students participate in the program
every year.
From Jan. 22-26, students will ski the slopes of Mont
Tremblant in Canada, which is on Transworld’s top five list for
best resorts in Eastern North America. Aside from Maryland,
participants come from Virginia, Washington D.C., Delaware,
New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Village of Mont Tremblant allows the students to walk
around to its restaurants, movie theatre or water park. There
are a lot of opportunities for winter sports considering that
the skiing and snowboarding are some of the best in the world.
In fact, for the eleventh year in a row, Mont Tremblant was
voted the number one Ski Resort in Eastern North America
according to the Ski Travel website.
“I have been skiing my whole life, so to be given the
opportunity to go the Mont Tremblant again is awesome,”
senior trip representative Mackie Henderson said. Henderson
is one of the ski trip’s 13 representatives from Wootton. “I
went last year and am looking forward to this year even more.”
Henderson decided to be a representative this year since
he gets more benefits from it.
“The more people I get to sign up, the more money I
get taken off my price,” Henderson said. However, senior
representative David Musher has found another reason to
become a representative for the trip.
“We went to a meeting at Fuddrucker’s and were given
free food,” Musher said. At the dinner, students received all of
the needed forms and information. Besides recruiting people,
the only other main job for the representatives is to assign the
students rooms according to their roommate requests.
The Ski Travel program is entering its 29th year under the
Direction of Dan Callahan.
According to the Ski Travel website, Callahan started Ski
Travel in 1981 “to fill the need for safe, chaperoned alternatives
to discontinued school sponsored ski trips.” Now that the
program is well known throughout the northern east coast,
over 3,000 students attend this trip annually.
One of Ski Travel’s rules and policies, which can be found
in the program’s “Policy Agreement” is that “possession, use
or consumption of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited.”
The program strictly enforces these rules, which can be seen
through their actions last year as a few Churchill students were
photo courtesy of Mrs. Liliana Monk sent home for disobeying the agreement they signed.
Ms. Monk poses for a picture during her travels to China in 1982.
Some students break this rule by taking advantage of

Canadian laws. In Canada, the drinking age is 18, so some
seniors may be of age by the time of the trip.
“I spoke to parents who sent their children on the trip, and
they said that [this trip] is a crazy party with little supervision,”
parent Cindy Schwatz said. Some students who have gone on
the trip do not think this is an accurate statement.
“There is much more supervision than people think,”
Henderson said.
According to the Ski Travel website, the safety of the
students is the company’s number one concern and top priority.
In fact, students are always supervised by a professionally
trained chaperone and never drive anywhere. Ski Travel has
established a well-built chaperone policy as one chaperone is
assigned to between 12 to 15 students.
Chaperones range from parents to teachers or even law
enforcement officers. The average age of a chaperone is 38,
and chaperones are accessible at all times in buildings and
through two-way radios. A major way that the chaperones keep
all of the students safe is by enforcing the mandatory check-in
times each day.
“I am upset that my Mom is not letting me go,” sophomore
Jessica Haley said. “She believes all of the rumors about the
parties, but it seems safe and would give me an opportunity to
become better friends with more kids at Wootton as well as
other schools.”
Students who have not signed up still have time to do
so for a slightly higher cost. There was an early sign up for
students by Nov. 11, but now there are two more sign up
dates: Dec. 7 and 22. The price increases after each deadline
passes. Payments can be done all at once online or through a
scattered payment plan. In order to sign up, students should
contact a representative and then make an account on the Ski
Travel website to request their roommates and provide other
personal information.
“The trip is a lot of fun for several reasons, but it’s also an
opportunity for us to interact with and become friends with
students from different schools,” Henderson said.

News

5

Common Sense - December 9 , 2009

Senior planners prepare for POTH
from POTH, page 1
acts occur after intermission.
“It’s a good mix of people this year, and they are all
working hard, which is sure to make a great show,” senior
class president Swetha Iruku said.
“SGA is doing the greatest dance of all time,” junior
SGA member Derek Jensen said. “My favorite part about
POTH is putting on a good show for the students.”
“It’s a great way to show off your dance skills and
entertain the crowd,” Rubin said. “The more interesting
acts we have, the better the night will be.” Last year, there
were many break-dancing groups. This year, however, Senior
Planners are encouraging students to add more variety to the
acts in order to avoid repetition.
“Last year, people didn’t realize it’s a dance and lipsynching competition,” Rubin said. “In order to keep the
crowd engaged, it’s always fun to have variety.” The crowd
at POTH usually consists of energetic fans, so different acts
help keep the energy flowing.
There are also monetary incentives for the contestants
to try their best to win. For the individual acts, first place
wins $100, second place wins $50 and third place wins $25.
However, there is only one $100 winner for the
class competition. The class competition is just between
the freshmen, sophomores and juniors. SGA and the
Woottonettes participate only to support and entertain the
school community, and Senior Planning cannot win since

they organize the event.
“Originally we weren’t going to do it because of last
year’s performance and since SGA is not allowed to win,
but we want to support Senior Planning and the school
community,” Jensen said. “I know I’m the best dancer at
Wootton, and I want the whole school to see that in my SGA
and Woottonettes performance.”
Last year, the class of 2010 won the class competition.
The group who won the $100 prize allotted for the individual
acts last year was called “Nick Jonas.” Second place went to
“Hypnosis” and third place to “The Funk.”
“Nick Jonas” was made up of Adam Coyle and many
other students who danced to a mix of 90’s music. Coyle’s
group danced in the background on the stage as he lipsynced the songs. Last year is not the first year that a comedic
act won first place instead of a more typical break-dancing
group.
“Adam’s dance last year was so much fun to be part of,”
sophomore Pat Grant said. “I think it was a nice change in
acts for the students, which is why his group won. I hope
that I can just jump in another dance this year.”
The main obstacle faced by participating groups each
year is whether or not performers show up at the rehearsals
or if they even bother to practice at all.
Freshman Erin Masterman has heard much about
POTH from friends and from word around the school.
“I heard it is a competition between the classes,”
Masterman said. “I also heard it is really fun and the dancing

photo by Vivian Chen

Somefreshmanplannerspracticetheirdancemovesandlipsyncingfor
POTH, which is being hosted by senior planning this Thursday.

and singing is hilarious. “I’m looking forward to having a
good time with friends and seeing all the funny acts.”
Senior Jabari Welsh has been taking part in POTH since
he was a sophomore.
“The best part of Puttin’ On The Hitz is the fun time
my group and I have rehearsing for the show,” Welsh said.
Aside from himself, Welsh’s group is comprised of juniors
Mario Aguilar, Kim Barger, Alexis Roffeld and Beata Globa.
POTH is fun for every student. The different acts
provide a range of entertainment to keep the crowd on their
toes.
“I think this year’s performance will be much better than
last year’s,” Welsh said. “It will blow everyone away.”

Many missing out Local Mosque’s assets frozen
on health care
from MOSQUE, page 1

Anna Tragotsi
staff writer
There have been ongoing debates about health care
in the United States. At least 15% of the population does
not have any insurance, and the rest of the population
has insurance that does not fully prepare them for future
needs.
Health care is provided by a collection of legal systems.
Health care facilities are mostly owned and operated by
private sectors, which are the ones that mainly provide the
health insurance except for government programs such
as Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance
Program and the Veterans Health Administration. The
high costs of health care make medical debt the number
one cause of bankruptcy in the United States.
“Two of the biggest worries are that it will be a strain
on our budget, and we will be limited in our healthcare
choices,” parent Dr. Inas Anderson said. “Those who
are uninsured go to the emergency room for healthcare;
inadvertently a visit that would have cost $40 in a co-pay
costs our society up to $2000 in an E.R. visit,” Anderson
said.
“There’s no doubt that healthcare is beneficial, but our
current system could definitely use some improvement,”
senior Daniel Feldman said.
The debate concerning health care deals with issues
of fairness, cost, and rights. Many have argued that the
system does not deliver equivalent value for money spent.
“Doctors are limited in terms of the care they can give
new patients,” Anderson said. “The insurance companies
dictate which medicines are covered, which lab works they
can order and which subspecialists they may refer to.
According to President Barack Obama’s website, his
health care plan promises to “end discrimination against
people with pre-existing conditions, and discrimination
based on gender or age, and to prevent insurance
companies from dropping coverage when people are
sick.” Obama wants to provide more security and stability
to those who have health insurance and wants to provide
insurance to those who currently do not have any. Another
goal of Obama’s plan is to lower the cost of health care.
There is a growing number of people in Montgomery
County who are losing their health insurance due to the
declining economy, which is leading the the high rates of
unemployment. Besides parents like Anderson, junior Ilan
Simanin has also noticed the negatives about the current
health care system.
“There is a huge majority in America that doesn’t
want the government to be involved in our health care,”
Simanin said. “It puts the government between you and
your doctor, which is no place for the government. It is an
intrusion on our privacy, but is also bad for many workers
who may be put out of business at the private insurance
companies if the government takes the lead.”

of the corresponding actions against
residential mosques is felt in the
law, Hojatoleslam Sheikh Ahmad Potomac and Rockville area.
Bahraini, is accused of having economic
“I met a lot of my friends [at
ties to the Alavi Foundation, a non- IEC]. We go to chill,” sophomore IEC
profit organization that is considered to member Ali Jawad said.
be a significant front for Iran’s National
Jawad, like many other members, has
Bank Melli.
been a part of the mosque community
The Alavi Foundation is located since he was born.
in the 650 Fifth Avenue building, a
The IEC not only focuses on
modern Manhattan building built only maintaining a devoted congregation,
30 years ago by the late overthrown but also caters to an active childhood,
Iranian Shah.
hosting social events such as potlucks
The creation of the foundation and sponsoring a competitive athletic
was to promote Islamic culture and league.
Persian language
Despite
the
in the U.S. Part of
obvious
possibility
[IEC] is a place of worship, a
their mission is to
that social activities
community.”
support charitable
may be stopped
and philanthropic
-sophomore Ali Jawad
because of further
cause
through
actions of the
educational, religious, and cultural FBI, members take confidence in the
programs.
continuation of IEC from the spiritual
Alavi has been a major contributor aspect of the mosque.
to Shia mosques and education centers,
“We’re not really scared [of
Islamic studies programs in universities accusations]. It’s a place of worship, a
such as Harvard, and scholarship funds community,” Jawad said.
to underprivileged Muslim students.
However, Muslims and nonThe foundation abides by eight core Muslims alike agree that the Alavi
program areas that help them provide foundation breaks both a 20-year-old
support, montary and otherwise, to executive order that prohibits financial
smaller Islamic institutions.
support to the Iranian government as
New York’s South District US well as nuclear disarmament policy.
Attorney’s Office has filed a complaint
The allegations are compounded
that the foundation is siphoning by the recent shooting by Muslim
billions of dollars from rent collection psychiatrist Major Nidal Malik Hasan
and donations to Bank Melli, which is at a Fort Hood, Texas military base,
a major contributor to Iran’s nuclear
development program. Alavi employees
are surprised and confused by the recent
claims and federal action.
“[The Alavi Foundation] is saddened
by the event and is very concerned,”
Alavi Foundation Campaign Executive
Syed Rada said. “[Alavi’s leadership]
doesn’t know what to do. They don’t
know what direction to go at this point.
Serving people of the US among many
others shall be tremendous in justifying
our current position.”
The Alavi Foundation’s ability to
receive and distribute donations has
been suspended indefinitely, and further
actions are pending.
Even though federal investigations
are focused in New York, the impact

“

photo courtesy of sky.com

The Islamic Education Center on Montrose
Road (above) was recently investigated for
funding the nuclear program in Iran.

which left 13 dead and 30 wounded,
causing the Muslim community again to
meet with a negative public image in the
media.
“The media has a huge role
in forming perceptions,” Muslim
Student Association Sponsor and Staff
Development Teacher Ms. Amani
Elkassabany said. “You don’t see many
positive stories about Muslims.”
There are Muslim fundamentalists
who are considered violent and corrupt,
but this small population has negatively
skewed the minds of non-Muslims.
Because of the widely held notions
about Muslims, the public approval of
restricting Muslim religious institutions
such as IEC is overwhelmingly high,
creating conflict based on First
Amendment rights.
“So often, I think that the
Muslim community is portrayed as
homogeneous, which is not true,”
Elkassabany said. “There is a great deal of
diversity, different regional backgrounds
[in the Muslim community].”

Editorial

6

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Afghan policy adjusted

Patriot Points:

More troops will end war sooner Do teachers make themselves available to give
Admittedly, the U.S. can be blamed in part for the mess in the
Middle East. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, President Barack Obama
their students extra help?

Common Sense Editors

Common Sense welcomes letters to the editor,
but reserves the right to edit them as necessary
for style, punctuation, grammar, and spelling.
Letters may be submitted to the Common Sense
mailbox. All letters must be signed, but requests
to remain anonymous will be considered. Please
contact us at woottoncommonsense@gmail.com.

Editors-in-Chief

Ilana Avergun & Drew Endick

“Only some [are available during the school
day]. Some don’t really care if you have to
stay after school or miss practice.”
- Sara Maggin, 10th grade

“Yeah, I think they try to help out.”
- Rori Kameka, 11th grade

“As far as the foreign language department
is concerned, there is a teacher available for
tutoring every lunch period... I’d like to believe
it’s the same in every department, but I don’t
know.”
- Matthew Salzman, Spanish teacher
“Most of my teachers make themselves
available...they are really willing to help out.”
- Jessie Rubin, 12th grade

“Sometimes when you go for help, the teachers don’t have time to help out.”
- Minsu Son, 11th grade
photos by Zara Shore

photo by Danny Wadler

announced his plan for Afghanistan at an address to cadets at
West Point. Although many believe that Obama’s plan to send
30,000 troops to Afghanistan by 2012 will abuse the United
States’ military, it is the only logical and safe way to resolve
conflicts in the Middle East.
Since 2001, coalition forces, primarily made of United States
Army Rangers and Marines, have been fighting Al-Qaeda, a
terrorist organization responsible for corrupted governments
as well as several bombings and kidnappings in Afghanistan
and Pakistan. Recently, however, efforts have been focused on
fighting against dedicated supporters of the late Saddam Hussein
in Iraq.
Although the Bush administration stated that the situation
in Afghanistan had become more stable than that in Iraq, AlQaeda is now becoming a much larger threat in Afghanistan.
Using the Khyber Pass, a mountain path connecting Pakistan
and Afghanistan, insurgents have been funneled into the nation.
The landscape has allowed Al-Qaeda terrorists to hide and
receive training in Pakistan, where U.S. troops are not legally
allowed to engage in battle. The results of this multinational
guerilla movement are significant American casualties and the
inability to find terrorist leaders, including Osama Bin Laden.
The previous military approach toward this situation was the
use of small special force teams made up of a total of 32,000
troops. Taliban forces, who easily go into hiding, have proven
this method of small versus small futile.
30,000 more troops will nearly double the size of the
Coalition task force in Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda’s “hit and run”
tactics will not be nearly as effective as they have been in the past.
The international terrorist threat will shrink tremendously.
The Obama administration realizes that there are other
threats in the Middle East that will soon spiral out of control.
Al-Qaeda controls nuclear power in Pakistan. The Iranian
government, which is controlled by hateful radicals, has created a
nuclear development program.
Although more troops will be committed to battle, the
Afghanistan conflict will finally end, saving American lives and
allowing the military to approach weighty international issues.

Church should not withhold services from D.C. needy
Zara Shore
op-ed editor
When D.C. Council member
Arrington Dixon first proposed
legalizing same-sex marriage in the
District of Columbia in 1975, he
became the laughingstock of the
area, scolded for his allegiance to a
community and an idea that could
never gain widespread approval.
Yet just this past Tuesday, the D.C.
Council finally passed a bill with this
same idea in its first round of voting
with an 11-2 decision. Even those
who do not want this bill to become
law cannot deny that this legislation
is the turning point for social change
in the United States. But in the
midst of the celebration from gay
rights activists, the Catholic Church
and other religious organizations
are strongly voicing their dissent,
stating that if same-sex marriage is
legalized in the district, they will no
longer provide services to the D.C.
community.
Many of D.C.’s social service
organizations, including homeless
shelters, city-sponsored adoption
centers and soup kitchens, are
operated and facilitated by Catholic
charities. Especially in such a terrible
economy, there is more need than
ever for charitable organizations
to continue to offer support. For
the Catholic Church, a religion that

is supposed to always be available
to help its adherents, it would be
inherently unethical to abandon the
people who rely on their aid because
of this bill.
The Catholic Archdiocese of
Washington has used their power in
public relations to further their desire
to stop the bill from being passed.
The religious group has stated that if
the D.C. Council refuses to cooperate
with them, they will stop or at least
severely limit the amount of resources
they provide to the needy in the D.C.
area. The Church is supposed to be
morally stable, a foundation of high
ideals that are above the political
turmoil of Washington, D.C.
The Church has been putting
tremendous pressure upon the D.C.
Council with this threat. In fact,
the two voters who had dissented

with the bill on Tuesday, Marion
Barry (D-Ward 8) and Yvette M.
Alexander (D-Ward 7), were both
only opposed to this bill becoming
law because of the vast amount of
complaints they heard from AfricanAmerican ministers in the D.C. area
and the threats that they received
from community members of losing
the support they need in order to
succeed government.
It is certainly one thing to disagree
with a bill in the midst of it being
voted on and to argue your point
thoroughly. But to withhold services
from the needy who have nothing to
do with any legislation being passed
in the District government? Those in
need are the people who will suffer
from the sudden withdrawal of
financial support from the Church,
not the members of the D.C. Council.

No, these activities are more reckless than traditional ones
Zara Shore
op-ed editor
Your lawn is equivalent to a box of
plastic cutlery, forks sticking out in every
available spot of grass. Your car is a mess,
coated with plastic wrap and sticky notes –
the windows covered so that it completely
impairs your vision, and you end up being
late to school.
Sure, it was funny when your friends
did this to the other group last week, but
how will you explain this messy lawn to
your parents? How will you explain your
unexcused tardy to your first period teacher?
“Friendly” team-building activities have
become incredibly popular among sports
teams and even groups of friends. A team
will get together late at night and form a
plan of attack, to hit anyone outside of their
exclusive group, often a member of another
sport team at the school.
These activities, whether they include
forking someone’s lawn, teepeeing
someone’s house, or covering someone’s
car in plastic wrap, are thought to unify a
team, allowing them to really bond and add
to their playing abilities.
Athletes claim that getting together,
creating a plan and seeing it through will add
to the team’s cohesiveness. It excites them
before their next game.
While these activities may solidify the
friendship of teammates, more prevalent
is the damage that is done to the victims
of the group’s actions. As the mischievous
team of attackers gather to high-five and
congratulate each other on a job well done,
who is thinking about the person who has
to clean up, or the angry parents, or the
inability to attend school because there is no
vehicle to get them there? The students who
are not a part of the team did not sign up
to be a part of these activities, yet they are
victimized.
Even though teams fulfill these

Yes, bonding events help teams learn to work well together

activities because they believe that it adds to
Danny Wadler
the strength of their group, it only weakens
op-ed editor
their connection and their ability to work
A true high school sports team is more
well with each other. First of all, it destroys
than just a large group of athletic students.
the trust that is built by a close-knit team
If these students all play the same sport at
working together. If the members are so
the same time and place, they still do not
eager to attack another person, there is no
necessarily form a team.
suggestion of a strong sense of loyalty to
A team is a cooperative unit that can
each other as teammates.
successfully combine efforts to achieve
Not only do teams attack other people
a common goal. These students must
during their activities, but they also often
be communicative and friendly with one
include alcohol in their bonding schedule,
another in order to be called a team.
even though every sports team has to sign a
Team-building activities are the key
contract at the beginning of the season that
methods to transform a group of athletes
they will not drink at all.
into a true team. These activities can include
“Drinking’s involved in some of our ‘get
anything from passing drills to team dinners
togethers’ to have a good time…we’ve just
or even good-spirited practical jokes. Teams
become really good friends,” an anonymous
have been known to shove forks into
athlete said of her sports team.
each other’s yards and wrap each other’s
The addition of alcohol into teamcars in toilet paper, but there have been
building activities leaves the group divided,
very few incidents of property damage or
many
members
health risk serious
often
feeling
enough to spark any
pressure and torn
interference
from
between the rules
the police or school
of playing the sport
administration.
and being a part
These
harmless
of the close-knit
pranks have to
community that is a
be executed for
sports team.
teammates
to
“Some people
become comfortable
were really opposed
and friendly with
photo courtesy of gremlindog.com
to [our activities],”
each other, and thus,
the athlete said.
more compatible on a sports team.
Team-building is supposed to create
Teammates embark on these team
a sense of unity within a group, allowing
building missions with the main intention of
teammates to form a cohesive bond that
having fun, but they actually improve their
will help them have stronger results in their
ability as well. With the idea that a group
activities. But through negative behavior
of athletes is not really a team until they
such as forking other students’ lawns or
can cooperate with each other, a team can
damaging other students’ cars, the only
practice their cooperation skills by getting
results are a lack of trust within the team
together for these bonding activities. It takes
and victimization of those who are not
excellent communication for a group so
included in the group.
large to meet up at a set time, execute plans,
These actions are not harmless; they’re
and follow through with them fully.
destructive.

Facebook obsession endangers students’ healthy study habits
Danny Wadler
op-ed editor
As a student with a Facebook
page, I find that Facebook’s many
features are very helpful in most cases.
I frequently send messages to fellow
students, usually just to socialize, but
also to communicate when projects
must be completed. Facebook also is
an extremely convenient way for me
to keep in touch with friends that I
otherwise would not be able to talk to
often. Occasionally a student refuses
to create his or her own Facebook
page; they believe that friends drift
farther apart after becoming Facebook
friends. Frankly, any two friends can
keep in touch with each other through
Facebook if they put in real effort.
Nobody really feels restricted in an
anti-social virtual world because of
online social networks.
Nevertheless, Facebook has major
negative effects on students. The only
real issue that Facebook poses is an
unwavering distraction from important
tasks like school work. Procrastinators,
socialites, gossipers and gamers are only
a small handful of roles Facebook users
play. They all have trouble managing
time because Facebook holds so much
power over their lives.
I log on to Facebook to find help
with homework assignments fairly
often. The late evening on a school

night, when parents and teachers would
hope students are just finishing their
homework or preparing for a night’s
sleep, is when the most students can be
found online. This is the perfect time
to find somebody to chat with who
can explain how to approach a certain
writing assignment.
However, in the bottom right
corner of the screen lays a small number
in a red bubble: procrastination’s
greatest weapon. Feeling obligated to
click on this bubble, I do so and view
most recent notifications. Facebook is
simply doing its job; it is alerting me
that a friend has posted something on
my wall, or that I have been tagged in
a photo.
In this situation, I am compelled
to view my new photos or wall posts.
A more social user would even feel the
need to comment or reply to their peers.
At this point, I have wasted time and do
not feel up to the task of returning my
attention to homework.
My story is that of the
procrastinator. Other stories include
that of the socialite, who constantly
has to be chatting with one or more of
their friends. If nobody worth talking
to is online at any given moment, the
socialite sits around, waiting for one
to appear. Then there is the gossiper,
who reads their news feed as an
everlasting source of information
regarding their peers. Another story is

of the gamer, always using the silliest
applications and discovering new ones.
The gamer spends hours tending to his
or her virtual farm or cleaning his or
her virtual aquarium. A vast majority
of the student body is familiar with
one of these stories or their own
personalized story. Not a single one
of these Facebook-obsessive roles
can manage time well, which becomes
more necessary as students continue
their education.
After Facebook throws one’s
priorities out of line and wastes very
valuable time, one could essentially
forget all about their homework, leaving
it alone and unfinished for hours or even
until the following morning, periods
before it is due. Procrastination lowers
the quality of potentially excellent
assignments, because it ultimately leads
to unnecessary rushing. This rush also
causes great stress for most students, as
if simply having the school work was
not stressful enough.
While almost all students will
admit to using Facebook while doing
their homework late at night, most of
them will deny its unhealthy effects.
All students need to strive in order to
complete their work as efficiently and as
excellently as possible, but Facebook’s
overwhelming dominance over the
student body makes this habit very
difficult, if not completely impossible
to create.

When a center fielder receives a ground
ball, and is preparing to pass it to the first
baseman, whether the right fielder should act
as a cut off or not must be communicated
between the teammates or the play could
fail. Precision planning and communication
is absolutely vital to a sport team, and one
of the more fun and memorable ways to
practice these skills is through practical
jokes.
Practical jokes also bring teammates
together. What many people do not
understand is that these pranks are almost
always played on other teams, coaches or
parents, who actually find these actions
humorous more than harmful. Instead of
leaving the scene of a prank with feelings
of guilt or anxiety, as one might after
committing a crime, teams leave with feelings
of accomplishment, because they have
not committed any crime at all. They have
each other to thank. Teammates know that
without their teamwork and communication,
they could not have completed their task of
mischievous mayhem. Later on, they talk to
each other about the incident as if it were an
inside joke, or a major point of foundation
in their relationship. Close friends are exactly
the people that work well together on a
team, as verified by scientific data and true
stories portrayed in many aspects of popular
culture.
Some sports teams at Wootton have
actually pranked other sport teams, resulting
in wars between the two teams. Both
parties always end up laughing about the
pranks in the end, regarding it as “no big
deal,” according to a former team manager.
Pranks are like any other drill executed
during regular practices; teammates learn to
work together and form a fully functional
collaborative unit.
Individual skill is not enough to win
games. Teams will continue to execute
practical jokes, improve friendships and
athletic performances, and have fun.

Monthly Mayhem

cartoon by Demetri Tzamaras

8

Billboard
Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Billboard
Common Sense - December 9, 2009

9

SPORTS

10

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Records

Indoor Track
And Field
girls

0-0

Boys’
Basketball

1-0

Girls’
Basketball

0-1

Swim
And Dive

0-0

Hockey

Wrestling

3-0

1-1

Indoor Track
And Field
boys

0-0

Experienced senior backcourt leads boys’ basketball team
Gordie Gold
business manager
In their season opener against
one of last year’s Montgomery
County
powerhouses,
Paint
Branch, who finished with a 20-5
record, hosted the Patriots, who
were able to come away with a
tough win by a score of 57-51.
Senior forward Jack Weis led the
way with 27 points.
Coming off a disappointing
8-15 season, including a first-round
playoff loss, the boys’ varsity
basketball team is looking to show
that they can get back to being
one of Montgomery County’s top
teams.
“We have a lot of talent on our
team, and we expect to make noise
this year,” senior guard Freddy
Vance said.
Despite losing three key
starters in Nitin Potarazu, Brian
Hollins and Matt Canter, the team
returns nine players with varsity
experience.
“I think one of our main
photo by Jeff Zifrony
problems last year was team
chemistry,” Weis said. “We can SeniorguardRashawnMorrisusesascreensetbyjuniorJamesWallerstedtinawalk-throughbeforetheirfirstgameoftheseason.
definitely improve on that this
year because we have been playing stages, providing the Patriots with the team with a lot of inexperience on the details of the system, and
tough defense and averaging 11.5 on the bench.
we know what to expect from each
together for a while now.”
“Last year helped me learn other,” Bohlen said.
Two of the returning players points per game in the final two
the ins and outs of the offense and
A key addition to the team
that will be heavily relied upon games.
“On last year’s team we really what the expectations are from my is junior center Ryan Trafton,
are last year’s starters, senior
guard Rashawn Morris and Vance. only had one guy [Potarazu] who teammates and coaches to play a transfer from Samuel Banks
Morris is the team’s best perimeter did most of the scoring,” head varsity basketball,” junior forward High School, who is expected to
have a big impact on the Patriots’
defender and one of its leading ball coach Christopher Bohlen said. James Wallerstedt said.
Not only will this experience frontline.
handlers. Vance was the leading “This year, we have seven guys
“Ryan brings us a defensive
scorer among those returning this who are ready to contribute and a enhance the players’ performance,
but it also helps out from a presence and adds another
season, averaging nearly 6.5 points lot more depth on the bench.”
A major difference from coaching standpoint.
legitimate scoring threat to our
per game. Weis is also another
“Having an experienced team offense,” assistant coach Dan
key player returning this season. last year’s team is this squad’s
Despite starting off last season experience level. Last year’s team definitely helps me as a coach O’Connor said.
After last year’s underwhelming
slowly, Weis emerged in the latter dressed five sophomores, leaving because we can spend more time

season, the boys’ team, which
usually had a huge student fan
base, lost some interest throughout
the school. This year’s squad looks
to get Wootton students talking
about them again.
“We hope to bring success
back to our school and have big
crowds come out like the old days,”
Morris said.
Based on their performance in
practice, Bohlen is confident that
the team’s regular season results
will far surpass last season’s marks.
“The team has really picked
up the overall intensity from last
year, especially on the defensive
side,” Bohlen said. “Our team
chemistry is great and the offense
is executing.”
The Patriots got their first
chance to play together as a team
in a scrimmage against Landon,
a private school who was the
champion of the Interstate
Athletic Conference last year.
Though no official score is kept
in a scrimmage, the Patriots were
able to get a feel for their strengths
and weaknesses heading into the
season.
The main standout in the
scrimmage was Trafton, who
showed off his tremendous athletic
ability by grabbing rebounds and
blocking shots, while contributing
from both the outside and the
inside on the offensive end.
Along with Trafton’s overall
tremendous performance, Weis
and Vance showed that they were
going to be leaders for the team
this season, hitting three-point
shots and slashing to the rim.

Wrestling team looks to build on strong 11-3 season
Michael Krakower
staff writer
The wrestling team went 1-1 in their
first tri-meet on Saturday, Dec. 5. They
easily took down Northwest, but suffered a
devastating loss against Damascus.
The team is coming off a strong 11-3
finish last season, and maintains a determined
attitude in their quest for another successful
season.
Senior captain Mike Barbaro, junior
captain Shane Bramble and sophomore
Jacob Weaver are the only players returning
to the team that made the State finals last
year. Bramble had the best personal results
as he finished in sixth place.
However, the team does not dwell on
its past successes. They have specific goals
that mirror their high expectations for the
upcoming season.
The ultimate goal for the season is to
qualify for Regional Duals, which are the
playoffs for high school wrestling. The team
has not made Regional Duals in three years,
and before that appearance, they had not
attended in nearly 15 years.
“We have the talent to be in the Regional
Duals this year,” head coach Kevin O’Neill

said.
The team plans on achieving their goals
with the strong leadership of the team’s six
captains: Bramble and Barbaro, along with
seniors Scott Oberst, Ben Parzow, Kyle
Nisson and Demetri Tzamaras.
“We’re confident in the leadership of
our seniors,” Bramble said.
The experience of the captains, along
with the skill of the underclassmen, should
also enable this team to make a deep run into
the playoffs.
“We have a lot of kids who know what
they’re doing,” Bramble said.
Technique and knowledge of the sport
are two qualities essential to a good wrestler.
This team has a strong understanding of
the discipline that is required of the sport,
and looks to supplement it with their fierce
athletic ability.
The team showed off their tenacity
and skill in a preseason scrimmage against
Thomas Jefferson High School. Score was
not kept because it was only a developmental
match, but Wootton clearly out-performed
their opponent.
The match was reassuring to the team
because they proved they could perform

without vital senior contributors from last
year.
Jeremy Rosenthal, Eric Mears and Jack
Corbett were all lost to graduation. However,
the incoming freshman class hopes to make
up for the lost talent with hard work and
dedication.
“With my prior experience, I can tell our
freshmen are good,” Barbaro said. “They
know what they’re doing.”
The incoming freshmen should
minimize the steep learning curve usually
associated with new wrestlers.
Freshman Stephen Potemken is
expected to wrestle on the varsity squad this
year. He and other young players will have
little time to adjust to high school wrestling,
as the team’s toughest matches come at the
beginning of the season.
According to Bramble, Whitman,
Magruder and Sherwood will be the team’s
toughest opponents this year.
The team faces off against these teams
in three of their first four matches. The
squad has mixed feelings about their difficult
matches being scheduled in the beginning of
the season.
“I think it will be beneficial because it

photo by Alex Kelly

SeniorMikeBarbarotrainsfortheupcomingseason.

will be like a measuring stick for the rest of
the season,” O’Neill said. “You have to beat
the best to be the best.”
The team is anxious to find out how this
year’s team stacks up to last season’s talented
group.
“It’s going to be tough to live up to last
year, but I think we can do it,” Barbaro said.

Robert Logan
staff writer
Coming off 3-3 seasons for both the boys
and the girls, the Wootton swim and dive team
is looking to make a splash this season. With
many returning swimmers this year, including
senior captains Raymond Zhou and Sophia
Wang, as well as juniors Thomas Finn, Tessa
Urovsky and Derek Jensen, the Patriots will
have a great chance to achieve success at
Metros.
“We have a very strong upper class,” Jensen
said. “We are stacked like jenga blocks.”
At last year’s Metros, the boys took tenth
place, while the girls took 16th. The team’s
strong performance last year allowed them to
stay in Division I.
Despite the very large team, they are all
extremely close.
“We have great depth,” head coach Howard
Blume said. “Both boys and girls can win the
division.”
Alongside Blume, the Patriots have brought
in a new assistant coach, former Wootton
swimmer Jackie Emr. Another addition to the
team is the talented core of freshmen. Allie
Klatzkin, Yaly Levy, Matt Gibson and Kevin Fu
have shown signs of future success this year.
With many upcoming opponents such as
Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Whitman and Richard
Montgomery, perhaps the toughest team that
the Patriots play will be Churchill, the winners
of Metros last year.
“There are too many great teams in our
division,” Emr said. “But we have shown great
potential, and everyone looks very strong.”
Despite the potential of the team, there
is only one senior on the boys’ squad, Zhou.
The squad will look to make up for their lack
of experience from the junior players, as well
as increased roles from the sophomores and
freshmen. Finn is one of the major standouts
from the boys’ squad.
At Metros last year - a tournament that
is composed of every public and private high
school in the Washington Metropolitan area Finn placed sixth in the 500-meter freestyle, as
well as 11th in the 100-meter backstroke.
“Thomas Finn is pretty much amazing at
every stroke,” junior Kyle Murdock said. “He
has great times in everything.”
Along with Finn are juniors Sean Reinhart,
Eric Woodard, and sophomore Michael Fu.
“The boys have great depth; they will
definitely contend this year,” Blume said.
The girls’ team also looks to go far this
season. With major contributors coming from
senior captains Wang, Christiana Chang, junior
Emily Bolek, and Urovsky, their chances are
very high.
“We have many girls who have been
practicing hard all year,” Urovsky said. “I
expect a lot of us to make Metros in February.”
At the team’s meet on Dec. 5, the squad
competed against Quince Orchard high school,
an out-of-division opponent. The event was
a scrimmage, so official score was not kept.
Senior Cori Schneider finished in first place in
the diving competition, while senior captain
Amanda Crocker placed in second.
The team’s first official meet is on Saturday,
Dec. 12, against B-CC at the Germantown
Swim Center.

With a new season now underway,
the girls’ varsity basketball team looks to
continue its dominance over the 4A West
division by winning its fourth division title
in a row.
In the season and home opener, the
Lady Patriots lost to Paint Branch 5768. Junior center Gabby Flinchum came
up strong under the basket and managed
to muscle up an impressive 16 points, 13
rebounds and six blocks. In addition, junior
guard Jess Welch put on a show while
dropping 12 points in the disappointing
loss.
A main issue for the squad is their free
throw shooting and turnovers. As a team,
the Patriots turned the ball over 19 times
and missed 11 free throws. The lack of
focus proved to be the difference in the
loss.
Paint Branch is known as an elite
force throughout the county. Last year, the
Panthers captured a division title and lived
up to the hype this season in their game
against Wootton.
“Opening up against a better program
is tough, but it’s a good thing,” head coach
Ms. Maggie Dyer said.
Last year the team started off their
season with a ten-game winning streak,
culminating in a 17-3 regular season record
and their third division title in as many
years. However, their season was cut short
with a loss to Northwest in the second
round of the playoffs.
“Last season I felt that we were a really
strong team that had a lot of potential to

go far, so naturally, I was disappointed with
the way our playoff run ended so quickly,”
Welch said. “I really thought that our team
was capable of winning states.”
The team is now looking to build
off last year’s early playoff exit with a
long playoff run and a possible state final
appearance.
“I think everyone thought we could’ve
done better [last season], but it’s a new
season now, and we need to focus on this
one,” junior center Gabby Flinchum said.
“Every year, as a team, we have the same
goals: win the division, win the region and
go to states.”
However, the road back to the playoffs
will not come that easily. The team lost
six of their 11 players to graduation last
year. Among the six were Sarah Bolmer,
Kara Vetrano and Chelsea Craig, who led
the team in three-pointers, assists, and
rebounds, respectively.
Even with these key losses and despite
only having one senior on its roster, the
team boasts experience. Welch was the
team’s second leading scorer last year,
averaging just over nine points a game.
She also tallied 34 steals and 55 assists over
the season, second on the team in both
categories.
Flinchum is also looking to improve on
an outstanding sophomore year. She was
the team’s leading scorer last year, averaging
12 points per game, and the team’s leading
shot blocker, racking up 70 blocks in 23
games. Flinchum was also second in the
rebounding category with an average of
11.3 rebounds per game.
Even though the team has Welch and
Flinchum to depend upon, seven of the 12

photo by Ira Rickman

JuniorGabbyFlinchumgoesupforalayupintraffic.

players this year are new to the team.
“We need to come together…as a
team,” Dyer said. “Getting everyone on the
same page takes time.”
The team has been working towards
this season for a while now. Many of
the players have been playing basketball
year-round in summer and fall leagues.
Conditioning sessions have also been
utilized in the offseason to prepare for this
upcoming season.
“We now practice every day, and
we have a few scrimmages coming up,”
Flinchum said. “But we’re just taking it
one day and one practice at a time.” The
Patriots will face the Colonels at Magruder
tomorrow at 7 p.m.
* Tuesday night’s game against Urbana took place
too late for this edition.

Cheer takes fifth place at County Competition
Costly 25-point reduction proves detrimental in overall standings
Katie McKenna
staff writer
The Wootton Patriots’ varsity cheerleading team competed
in the Montgomery County Public Schools Division I Varsity
Cheerleading competition on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The Patriots were in good position at the start of the
competition, sitting in third place just before their final routine.
However, a major 25-point safety reduction hurt the Patriots and
left them sitting in fifth place.
“I think our overall performance was phenomenal,” senior
captain Savannah Yokley said. “We received many comments
about how clean and creative our routine was.”
Overall, the Patriots looked solid, but little mistakes cost
them at the end of the day.
The competitions are scored with deductions of points for
bad execution or unsafe stunts and rewarded for good execution
and clean, safe routines. Cheerleaders are scored on execution
and technique of stunts, tumbling, jumps, motions, spirit and
choreography. There are generally slim margins between the
first and last place teams, meaning that every mistake and every
deduction counts.
“Unfortunately, we had a safety violation which is a 25-point
deduction. This took us out of the running for placing in the top
three, but we were still able to place fifth which is very impressive,”
Yokley said.
Such a big deduction is difficult to recover from considering
falling in a stunt is only a three-point deduction.
“In no way does fifth place change how proud the captains
and coaches are of the team’s hard work,” Yokley said.
“I expected us to perform a clean and perfected routine
that was entertaining and fun to watch,” head coach Kristen
Daugherity said.
There was strong competition at the tournament with
Sherwood, Churchill, and Clarksburg holding the top three
positions. There were a total of eight teams at the competition
including Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest and Watkins Mill.

photo by Katie McKenna

Thevarsitycheerleadingteamcameinfifth attheMCPSDiv.ICompetition.

“I expect us to place at our next competition because we will
be adding more difficulty,” junior co-captain Jessica Lewis said.
“Division I is the hardest and most elite division, so most of
the teams in our division have very good routines,” Daugherity
said.
Although the Patriots did not place in the competition, they
were competing against the best.
“I know that we will be more competitive at our next
competition — we will work harder on our timing and stunts,”
Lewis said. “I’m excited for a more relaxed environment [after
football season].”
“We still have a lot more of the season ahead of us with
basketball and wrestling [seasons] starting,” Yokley said.
The Patriots will be attending the Maryland High School
Cheerleading Championships at University of Maryland, College
Park on Saturday, Feb. 13.
“Right now we are focusing on supporting and cheering
on our basketball, wrestling and poms teams, and no safety
violations!” Daugherity said.

Revving up

Behind the Wootton

VS.

“My favorite thing about Wootton is the spirit and
traditions that have been going on for so many years.
You feel like you are a part of the Patriot family.”
-Jillian Greenbaum
Wootton poms captain

careful not to allow one to be dominant”.
Unfortunately, for many years, Cabin John students did not
have the same mentality. Since Doran’s arrival in July 2003, Cabin
John’s students had predominantly gone on to attend Wootton. “In
the earlier years, some [Cabin John] teachers taught at Churchill
and would post scores to games. They were missing Wootton stuff
and it was an issue,” Doran said. It took assertive parents to help
resolve the issue which Doran feels no longer exists.
While Wootton and Churchill students share a high degree of
school spirit, they express their pride differently at athletic events.
“When it comes to Churchill-Wootton match ups, they are
pretty equal athletically,” senior Jonny Heiber said. “But when it
comes to overall spirit toward sports, Wootton always has fans
at every event, every basketball game, girls’ and boys’. Churchill
[fans] only show up to the big games.”
Regan, sees similarity in the quality of athletics at each school,
but senses that sports supporters at Wootton and Churchill have
different levels of pride.
“In the past, I think our sports have been equal and competitive
with each other and our spirit similar,” Regan said. “I think our crowd
and spirit this year has been at an all time high—incomparable to
any other school.” Churchill’s loud fans are allegedly notorious
across the county.
“Every year when the principals of the county meet, Churchill
is named the most rowdy, unsportsmanlike and rude crowd. I think
we take pride in that,” Regan said.
Once freshmen arrive at Wootton, the pressure to perform
better than Churchill rivals on the court and the field is immediate.
While some had played on teams with kids from neighboring
schools, the majority of the competition was unknown.

Pom Captains

Heard in the Halls:

BulldogsandPatriots
face off

Close in geographical locations and similar in both academics
and athletics, Wootton and Churchill have shared a notorious
rivalry since Wootton first opened in 1970.
Cabin John’s position as a middle school that feeds students to
both Wootton and Churchill has intensified the rivalry. Cabin John
initially opened as a middle school feeder for Churchill but, due
to underenrollment, the school was temporarily closed in 1987.
In 1989, Cabin John was reopened as a result of a sharp rise in
students living in the Cabin John neighborhood. At the reopening,
Cabin John became a feeder for both Churchill and Wootton. The
split began a new chapter in the Wootton-Churchill rivalry. The
split forces some students to form almost completely new friend
groups, while others feel more comfortable with the class division.
“For me, it was easy to leave half of my friends. I was friends
with mostly kids whose elementary schools go to [Churchill],”
Churchill senior class president Liam Regan said. He feels that he
dealt with the situation easily because he spent only two years at
Cabin John instead of the typical three years.
For Wootton students, staying in touch with friends from
Churchill poses a challenge. “I keep in touch with as many
[Churchill students] as I can, but it’s just not the same as it used to
be. There is just not much to talk about because they are no longer
your schoolmates,” Wootton freshman Mike Avergun said. “They
were some of my best friends throughout middle school, and now
I barely ever see them.”
While a middle school principal in Fairfax, Virginia, Dr. Michael
Doran saw his students split into different high schools like those
at Cabin John. “I stayed focused on the time the students had at
Luther Jackson [Middle School], not on whether they were going
to Falls Church or Oakton [high schools] after,” Doran said. “I was

“The best part about being a Churchill Bulldog is that
our school is really spirited.”
-Jackie Kleban
Churchill poms captain

VS.

“I had heard a few names, b
personally,” senior lacrosse playe
said.
While the athletic rivalry has
gotten out of control on occasion.
Churchill and Wootton students
allowed things to get out of hand.
“I saw a big fight that broke ou
2008-2009 season]. And there a
games,” Shepard said. Fortunately
empty.
“Very few kids go beyond fu
but [the rivalry] has escalated in
been expressed on the internet,”
students continue to remember
Churchill on the field than with yo
About three years ago, Doran
a step further. During the schoo
Wootton property dressed as Wo
yearbook staff recording video f
asked Wootton opinions on Chur
the Churchill announcements.
“This is an inappropriate way
can be misused,” Doran said. “Rea
is having the rivalry stirred up be
rivalry as a means of adding int
sports.
Even with the intensity of the
pride in their friends who do well
attend.

“My favorite thing about being a Wootton Patriot is
wearing red, white and blue at the pep rallies.”
-Swetha Iruku
Wootton senior class president

Other Famou

p the rivalry:

n vs. Churchill battle

but I didn’t know any of the kids
er and team leader Reid Shepard

remained mostly friendly, it has
. Fights in public places that both
s visit after sports events have
.
ut after the football game [in the
are always threats after lacrosse
y, most of the threats have been

un and appropriate trash talking,
nto fights and shouting and has
” Doran said. He hopes Wootton
r that it means more to beat
our fists.
recalls, Churchill took the rivalry
ol day, Churchill kids came onto
Wootton students. Claiming to be
for the spring supplement, they
rchill and then broadcasted it on

y of keeping a rivalry going that
al rivals are natural. My only fear
eyond necessary.” Doran sees the
terest and excitement to school

e competition, students still take
l, regardless of which school they

“I like to hear when my friends do well, especially against other
teams, but when it comes to Wootton-Churchill it’s all business,”
Heiber said.
Neighborhoods such as Fox Hills, parts of the Willows, and
other neighborhoods surrounding the Travilah- North Potomac
area belong to both Wootton and Churchill High School causing
many students to collide with each other outside of the school
setting.
Students from Churchill are very likely to be found hanging out
at the Cabin John Mall strip, and Wootton students are likely to be
seen at Fallsgrove, but due to the close proximity of the schools
and neighborhoods, students often run into each other.
The rivalry is more likely to be seen at sporting events rather
than in one-on-one student interactions. Senior Shira Moskowitz
finds this to be the case, for part of her freshmen year she attended
Churchill, and then switched to Wootton.
“I am torn between the two schools, because I have friends at
both, but I definitely feel the unspoken awkwardness when seeing
a former Churchill classmate,” Moskowitz said. Moskowitz recalls a
recent experience she had with Churchill students.
“At my internship I am the only Wootton student amongst
six other Churchill students. At times I feel that the rivalry is very
apparent; if I answer a question wrong the other students jump to
conclusions and laugh it off because I go to Wootton,” Moskowitz
said.
Moskowitz adds that her experience attending both Churchill
and Wootton provides her with a unique and balanced perspective
on the schools’ rivalries.
“Education-wise, I feel that I am given a better opportunity
to excel at Wootton. The faculty and students create a conducive

educational environment, which significantly differs from the one I
received at Churchill,” Moskowitz said.
Moskowitz feels that, compared to Churchill staff, the faculty at
Wootton are more involved in student life.
Churchill and Wootton are also very similar in academics. Both
schools have received the Blue Ribbon Awards and recognition for
being leading high schools in the nation.
In 2009 Wootton was ranked 34th by the US News and World
Report for the Best High Schools in America, and Churchill was
ranked 42nd out of the top 100 U.S. high schools.
Both schools have about the same number of students;
Churchill with 2,118 and Wootton with 2,470.
Churchill and Wootton are both known for offering rigorous
academic programs. Wootton is known for its two signature
programs: Humanities & Arts Program, and STARS, as well as
offering classes through Montgomery College for high school
seniors known as College Institute. Churchill is known for its
Signature Academy programs known as Arts, MTS, and IS Academy.
Both schools offer internships for their seniors.
Churchill and Wootton also share the prestige of having
distinguished alumni. Wootton has a wide range of alumni such as
members of the band O.A.R., and the founder and DJ of Elliot in
the morning. Churchill’s alumni also include famous athletes and
the creator and writer for the hit TV series “Beverly Hills 90210,”
Darren Star.
For the most part, Doran considers the Wootton-Churchill
rivalry an expression of a healthy competitive spirit.
“The healthy aspect [of the rivalry] has always outweighed the
negative one,” Doran said.
-Naomi Sapiro & Natalie Wainger
Commons editors

Churchill photos courtesy of Frank Connors

“The best part about being a Churchill Bulldog is not
being a Wootton Patriot.”
-Liam Regan
Churchill senior class president

us Rivalries

“My favorite thing about being a Wootton Patriot is
that I could see Dr. Doran on a daily basis if I wanted
to.”
-Jenay McNeil
Wootton drama “queen”

VS.

Leading Ladies

Class Presidents

Wootton photos courtesy of Lifetouch/Yearbook

“My favorite thing about being a Churchill Bulldog is
that we have a lot of great extracurricular activities
for the students.”
-Nina Katz
Churchill drama “queen”

VS.

SPORTS

14

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Two-time defending
state champions
continue winning
streak to open season
Jared Wasserman
sports editor
The
back-to-back
state
champion hockey team has
outscored its opponents 28-2 in its
first three regular season contests,
reaffirming its place amongst
Montgomery County’s elite.
In the team’s first action since
their 5-2 victory over Linganore
high school in last year’s title game,
the Patriots defeated Damascus,
11-1 on Nov. 13. Junior defender
Josh Bretner had three first period
goals, and the team’s only goal
allowed was a short-handed score
with 3:54 remaining in the third
period.
The Patriots followed that
dominating performance with
a 12-1 win over Poolesville on
Nov. 20. Damascus punched in
the game’s first goal with 9:50 left
in the first, but Wootton scored
twelve unanswered to secure the
victory in convincing fashion.
“If we play the way we’re
capable of, I’m confident we can
put these teams away early,” senior
defender Alex Greenfest said.
In their most recent contest on
Dec. 4, the Patriots took on rival
Walter Johnson. Two first period
goals by junior Matt Greenblatt
jumpstarted the offense as they
finished the first period with a 4-0

lead. A tally late in the third period
by junior PJ Hall sealed the 5-0 win
and 3-0 start to the regular season.
Bretner leads the state with
eleven points and eight goals in
just two games played, with senior
captains Neofytos Panagos (four
goals, five assists) and Steven
Rubin (seven goals) also producing
for this high-scoring offense.
The trio must account for the
production lost from graduated
All-Gazette Player of the Year
Dylan Skarupa (18 goals, 27
assists) and All-Gazette Honorable
Mention forward Jon Cohen.
“We will have to rely on more
teamwork,” Panagos said.
There has also been a transition
in goal this season. The team
graduated All-Gazette Honorable
Mention goalkeeper Chris Hogan,
and has attempted to fill the void
with freshman Zack
Reiswig and junior Sam
Reiswig, brothers who transferred
to Wootton prior to the season.
Zack has drawn one start thus far,
relinquishing just one goal in 45
minutes of play, while Sam has
started two games, letting up just
one goal in the contests.
“We have complete trust in
them and it is a good feeling that
we have two really good goalies,”
Panagos said.
Although the Patriots’

supremacy over Montgomery
County opponents remains, the
team did not fare nearly as well
in its exhibitions against private
schools Landon and Georgetown
Prep.
In a highly touted matchup,
Landon overpowered Wootton by
a score of 12-1, smothering the
Patriots’ electrifying attack just
four days after the team turned in
a 12-goal performance of its own.
The absence of Bretner and
Panagos from the game left the
back-line vulnerable and the team’s
scoring opportunities few and far
between.
Then, on Nov. 30, Wootton

had a stronger offensive showing
but fell to Prep, 6-5.
“It made us realize that we are
not invincible and that we need to
work hard to three-peat,” senior
forward Alex Markenson said.
The losses do not count
against the team’s regular season
record, but serve as a measuring
stick to see how the Patriots stack
up against the best teams Maryland
has to offer.
They are also taken into
consideration when the Washington
Post ranks the state’s top teams,
undoubtedly affecting the Patriots’
previous number one standing.
With
four
teams
still

undefeated in Montgomery County
and the Whitman Vikings having
outscored their opponents 33-1 in
its first three contests, Wootton’s
quest for a third consecutive state
championship will be a greater
challenge than in year’s past.
However, with a solid pairing
in goal, a fortified defense led by
Bretner, Panagos, and senior Jonah
Guiton, as well as the play-making
ability of the team’s experienced
leaders, the team remains confident
about its title prospects this season.

Head Football Coach Greg Malling resigns after five-year tenure
from MALLING, page 1
gomery County,” said Eddie Tolliver Sr.,
Wootton’s defensive coordinator and outside
linebackers coach.
Not only has Coach Malling impacted
the program in terms of wins and losses, but
he has changed the mentality of Wootton
football as well. With the implementation
of “B-11,” a slogan encouraging players to
always strive to be an eleven on a scale from
one to ten, Malling has transformed the
team from where he found it five years ago.
“He has completely changed the face
of Wootton Football,” Athletic Director
Christopher Thompson said. “He has

instilled a confidence and a work ethic that
has probably never been seen in the football
team.”
Malling’s resignation came as a surprise
to members of the coaching staff and
students alike.
“It took a while for it to actually sink in
that Coach Malling was not going to be here
as head coach,” Tolliver said.
“I was extremely surprised,” senior team
member Matt Gordon said. “I figured that
he was going to stay with the program for
a while, and when I found out I was just
completely shocked.”
Malling’s resignation was not driven by

• In 2008, led Patriots to a 7-4 record and first playoff appearance since 1991
• Implemented a spread offense, led to quarterback Mike Mooney’s 451-yard
record setting passing performance
• Helped wide receiver Stephane N’goumou sign with the Big 10 powerhouse
Iowa Hawkeyes
• Led seven other 2008 players onto college teams
• Has team’s motto, “B11,” tattooed on his leg
• To B11, is to do everything to the best of your ability, to expect more from yourself. Be Bigger, Faster, and Stronger.
• Named the Washington Redskins’ High School Coach of the Week for November
3, 2008
• 18-33 record with program

dissatisfaction with the program or players,
but by his personal need for an adjustment.
“There wasn’t a moment [I decided to
resign] as much of an understanding that
there was a time for change,” Malling said.
I was motivated by the recognition that for
me and the program to continue developing
it needed that change. The best people for
turning around a program aren’t always the
best for sustaining that success.”
Thompson is currently in the process of
reviewing about six applicants from around
the state and hopes to designate a head
coach replacement by the middle of January.
“We are losing a positive, motivating,
team player who really cares about all of the
Wootton sports,” Thompson said. “I think
he has instituted a system that the future
coach can certainly benefit from.”
Malling has made a lasting impact on
both the coaching system and the players
that he has worked with. 13 former team
photo by Evan Pappas
members are now on college rosters, and HeadfootballcoachGregMallingstrategizesduringa
Malling has influenced countless others home football game last season.
what opportunities he will pursue next.
throughout their high school careers.
“I wanted to make this decision
“Coach Malling has defined football for
me,” senior Nate Baruch said. “He made independent of everything else,” Malling
me the best player I can possibly be, and I said. “I didn’t want to choose something
cannot even imagine what it would be like else over this to be sure that it was the right
to have played under anyone else. Having move. I’ll figure out the rest later.”
Coach Malling altered the Wootton
Coach Malling as the leader of the program
was truly unique. Before freshman year I football program for the better throughout
had never met anyone with such a relentless the course of his run as head coach, but
hunger to win, and it is obvious that some of Wootton football also impacted him.
“I will miss the kids, the players, the
his views have become instilled in me over
most,”
said Malling. “It was humbling to
the last four years.”
work
with
guys that have a better grasp on
Malling has no confirmed plans as to
things then most adults have.”

SPORTS

15

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Boys’ Player Profile: Jack Weis
Jeff Zifrony
sports editor
With an experienced backcourt
and a plethora of young talent, there
are high expectations for the varsity
basketball team this year. One of the
team’s main assets is senior guard Jack
Weis. Weis’s passion for basketball
started at a very young age.
“I started playing when I was five
years old at a camp when I lived in
Chicago, and I’ve been playing ever
since,” Weis said.
Weis’s aggressive play has turned
scouts’ heads from several division
III schools such as Elizabethtown
College, Salisbury University, Hood
College, and Coast Guard.
“I think I bring a sense of
toughness that a lot of people don’t
correlate with Wootton,” Weis
said. “If there is a loose ball or an
opponent talking trash I will be there
every time.”
While it is his tenacity and
uncanny shooting ability that the
senior guard is most known for, head
coach Chris Bohlen believes that Weis
boasts other qualities that make him a
threat on the court.
“Jack is probably the hardest
worker on the team,” Bohlen said.
“He really understands the game and
what is expected of him and does a
phenomenal job as a role model for
the other players in the program.”
To improve his game, Weis
has played on a number of select
basketball teams and continues his
workout regimen year round.
“My typical workout involves
agility drills such as jump ropes

and agility ladders and weightlifting
exercises such as benching and
squatting,” Weis said. “In addition,
I take shots from different sports
on the floor and mix it up between
pull-up jumpers, regular jumpers, and
driving to the basket. I practice like
this six times a week because I know it
helps me improve on my weaknesses
and fine tune my game.”
As a junior, Weis saw a limited
amount of floor time due to the
amount of talented seniors that were
on the squad. With the graduation of
guards Jason Korth and Brian Hollins
along with forwards Nitin Potaratzu
and Matthew Canter, Weis is

projected to be one of the team’s
leading scorers this year. Weis believes
that this year’s team definitely has
more potential than Wootton teams
in the past, particularly coming off a
disappointing 8-15 campaign last year.
“Winning the state championship
this year is a definite possibility,” Weis
said. “With our experienced guard
play coupled with a bunch of talented
underclassmen, we could do big things
in the playoffs this year.”
In the first game of the regular
season, Weis lived up to the hype and
contributed 27 points to the Patriots’
win against Paint Branch High School.

Girls’ Player Profile: Gillian Sissman
Sam Morse
staff writer
The frame of junior Gillian
Sissman is not that of your typical
star athlete. At 5’2”, Sissman has
not been short of aggressive. In the
winter athletic season, Sissman can be
found on the soccer field, where she
specializes in defense. The transition
to the fall season, however fast, has
not been proven difficult, as Sissman
immediately throws her cleats away and
picks up the basketball.
Sissman began playing basketball
during first grade and has worked her
way to being the astonishingly quick
starting guard for the Lady Patriots.
As the Lady Pats look to improve
upon last year’s record, the guard will
be looked upon as one of the returning
star players. “We expect a lot from
Gillian this year,” head coach Maggie
Dyer said.
Even though the team lacks
experience, Sissman notices that the
team’s strong sense of bonding will
complement the Coaches’ infallible
strategy. “I love our team dinners,
secret sisters, and going to Panera after
Saturday morning practices,” Sissman
said.
In the home opener last week,
Sissman struggled both defensivly
and offensivly. Sissmans three point
performance and single steal were
overshadowed by her five turnovers in
the game.
Even through the rough start
to this season, Dyer is assured that
Gillian will become more dominant and

photo by Ira Rickman

Sissman(#5) directs the offense during the team’s first game against Paint Branch.

comfortable on the court. “[Gillian] is
a very good player who can penetrate
the basket.”
Last year as a sophomore,
Sissman averaged only 2.2 points per
game for the varsity squad. This year,
however, Gillian is expected to produce
on the offensive end. “[Gillian] really
improved during the off season.” Dyer
said.
These improvements are what the
team is hoping will win them games this
year.
After major contributor, junior
guard Iris Cheng sustained an injury,
other players will be needed to
compensate for the hole in the offense.
“[The loss of Iris] shook the team up
a little bit,” Dyer said. Sissman will be
expected to step up and fill the void.
Sissman who is called “an excellent
teammate,” by both Coach Dyer

and other players has lived up to the
compliment thus far.
“Gillian is really talented when it
comes to basketball, but she is also just
a fun person to have around.” Junior
guard Colby Wright said.
As far as college level play is
concerned Sissman has no immidiate
plans to compete. “Theres always a
chance I play in college, but I’d rather
play on a club team,” Sissman said.
Even though Sissman would like to
focus on the present, she does realize
that her chance of becoming next year’s
team captain will be competitive.
“There are 8 juniors including me,”
Sissman said, referring to the lack of
clear leadership for next year’s team.
For now, Sissman is focusing on
improving her skills and the ensuring
that the team will not fall short of a
long playoff run.

What’s Good in Sports
Each issue, sports editors Jeff Zifrony and Jared
Wasserman break down the who, what, when, where,
and why of the sports world.
On virtually every television and radio station for the
past week, all you’ve been hearing about is Tiger Woods’
infidelity. The public is shocked at what went down at
3:30 in the morning at the Woods’ residence. Why? Are
we really surprised about the Tiger Woods secret life?
As former NBA superstar Charles Barkley put it in a
Nike commercial, “Just because I can dunk a basketball
doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.”
And he’s right. Extraordinary athletic ability does not
make you a saint. But regardless, the golf club incident
got us thinking about the biggest slip-ups among
professional athletes.
4. Kobe Bryant. Weeks after the superstar was accused
of raping a hotel worker in Colorado, Bryant publicly
denounced NBA player Karl Malone for “coming on” to
his wife. Bryant was disgruntled that Malone upset his
spouse and treated her disrespectfully. Ironically, Bryant
admittedly cheated on his wife weeks before, and almost
certainly “hurt her feelings” along the way.
3. Tom Cable. The football coach compiled an 1135 record at Idaho before being hired by UCLA as a
coordinator. By some miracle, Cable became the offensive
line coach for the Atlanta Falcons before moving to
Oakland and eventually landing the head coaching job.
He has a .304 winning percentage as the leading man.
More embarrassing then his record is Cable’s history of
violence. In training camp this past summer, he added to
a lengthy list of accusations that include beating two exwives and an ex-girlfriend by allegedly punching assistant
coach Randy Hanson in the face, fracturing his jaw. On
Nov. 5, The National Organization for Women called on
the Raiders to suspend Cable. No action has been taken.
2. Baseball. Not only has the steroid era tarnished
the present state of the game, it has diminished the
accomplishments of past greats who notched 600 plus
home runs on nothing more than talent and a hangover.
Mantle, Williams, Aaron, Mays, Ruth… the list goes on
and on. Among those mythical names atop the home run
list are Sosa, Rodriguez, McGuire, and Palmeiro. All are
known steroid users at one point in their careers. You
hear the argument that this era brought excitement back
to a dull and uneventful pastime. However, to those who
truly appreciate the game, the respect and adoration that
we as fans feel for our sports heroes can no longer come
without a hint of skepticism, thanks to the unethical
practices of a generation. Sure, Adrian Peterson is a
beast, but can a guy that big, really be that fast? These are
the questions that the steroid era has created.
1. Orenthal James Simpson. Surprised to see him on
this list? That’s because O.J. has become so infamous for
his off-field issues that his illustrious football career is
largely forgotten by the public. Simpson was the 1968
Heisman Trophy winner at USC, having rushed for 1,709
yards and 22 touchdowns. He was the first overall pick
in the subsequent draft, finished his career as the second
leading rusher in NFL history, and was a first-ballot
Hall of Famer in 1985. It is a difficult task to commit
such atrocities off the field that these accomplishments
become an afterthought, but Simpson did his best. In
1995, we all know O.J. was acquitted (not sure how,
though) of the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ronald
Goodman. Seemingly ungrateful for his second chance
at a normal life, Simpson was arrested in September of
2007 and charged with conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping,
conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, burglary, assault,
and weapons related crimes. An unbiased jury found
Simpson guilty on all charges and he is currently serving
at least nine years in prison.
You can try to emulate these athletes on the field, but
it may not be wise to do so off of it.

SPORTS

16

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Not your typical
high school athlete

Jeff Zifrony
sports editor

Ask any player or coach in the Wootton
basketball system who the hardest working
individual in the program, is and the answer
will be the same: Ashkan Geramifar. The
senior has an extremely uncommon and
remarkable passion for basketball.
“I play seven days a week, once or twice
a day, in addition to running every morning
and going to the gym often,” Geramifar
said. “My love for the game and the desire to
better myself is what keeps me going.”
Geramifar, who was confined to a halo
in eighth grade after his C1 and C2 vertebrae
were separated, continued to play basketball
despite the severity of his injury.
“Any slight jerk would have basically
snapped my neck,” Geramifar said. “But I
played regardless.”
It is that toughness that carried the guard
through his athletic career. After failing to
make the junior varsity squad his freshman
year, Geramifar continued to work at his
game and made the team as a sophomore.
“I decreased my mile time by about

twenty seconds and increased my bench
press by almost 50 pounds,” Geramifar said.
“My goal was always to make the varsity
team.”
Unfortunately, the senior made it to
the final round of tryouts before being cut.
However, Geramifar was not discouraged
and is currently involved in the basketball
program as a manager and assistant.
“I’m learning the game as an understudy
to [head] coach [Chris] Bohlen,” Geramifar
said. “I want to coach at some point in
my career, and he’s helping me learn the
principles of coaching. Every drill he sets up
or technique he teaches, I learn and observe.
It helps me formulate how I want to coach
when I decide to.”
Bohlen believes that Geramifar possess
certain qualities that will help him coach the
game.
“Ashkan is a great kid to be around
and has a passion for learning the game,”
Bohlen said. “He understands the X’s and
O’s and notices things on the court before
they’ve even developed — he sees the bigger
picture.”

It is not just Bohlen who has noticed
his work ethic and love for the game.
Senior guard Jack Weis is one of the many
individuals who have taken note of Ashkan’s
improvement.
“I have played basketball with Ashkan
for years now, as have some of the other
players on our team, and his work ethic

Our number one goal is to win the region. The girls’ team has never won the
region or been to a State final. Obviously we’d like to win States, but getting there
comes first.
This year we have five returning girls and seven new girls. The biggest thing we
have to do is come together and gel as a team. With over 50 percent of the team
being new, getting everyone on the same page takes time. We have some team
building workshops coming up that will help.

What has the team been doing in the offseason?
Some girls have played in both fall and December leagues. We have also held
conditioning three times a week focusing on lifting, running and plyometrics.
Which returning player(s) will have the biggest impact this year?
Gabby Flinchum led the team in points and blocks last year, and is returning
this year as a junior. Jessica Welch was our second leading scorer, so we are
also expecting a lot from her. Iris Cheng came off the bench for us last year and
contributed greatly as well. And Danielle Khattar, our only returning senior, worked
really hard in the offseason and has showed great leadership abilities.

Which new player do you expect to step up this season?

How would you describe your coaching style?

What do you think of the Ladies Men?

It’s tough to say at this point. Sophomore Evelyn Ting is new to the program this
year and has played strong. Right now I’m still waiting to see who emerges.
I’m definitely intense. I have a huge passion for the game. Each practice is
a competition, and they’re all run at game speed. I also like to think that I’m
democratic in that I let the team make a lot of decisions. I let the players set
the goals for the season and pretty much run the team, and then I hold them
accountable. It’s as much their team as it is mine.
I absolutely love them. They make a huge difference. They become that “Sixth
Man,” they energize the game, and they really give us that home court advantage.
I’m lucky to have them. It’s great for the program, the school, and athletics in
general.

rubs off on all of us,” Weis said. “He is
the hardest working athlete I’ve played with
,and it’s pretty amazing how much he has
improved.”
Geramifar is a unique individual whose
perserverance and determination are
unmatched.

With young talent, Indoor Track looks to build
on last year’s success
Will Browning
staff writer
With over 100 participants each season, indoor track is able to
maintain solid leadership, while keeping an excellent foundation built
of underclassmen.
“We have a strong team this year, with strong senior leadership,”
sprinting coach Barbara Gatewood said. “Leadership roles come at a
premium, but many seniors have grasped every opportunity.”
With the girls seeking to maintain their title as county champions,
the boys look for another successful season to build on.
“All the seniors that groomed us last year are gone,” junior Earl
Lee said. “There’s going to be a lot of runners coming into their own,
and we’ll have to cope with the losses.”
The departure of graduated sprinters Aaron Fagon and Andrew
Van Haren as well as distance runners Kevin Butts and Jake Danoff
will be felt. However, a strong group of underclassmen hope to keep
the Patriots running strong and give the boys’ team an extra boost.
Field events will be vital to the team’s success this year. Senior
Matt Gordon will anchor the squad this season by leading the shot
put event. Sophomores Will Severynse and Daniel Nozick also look to
build upon their success last year on the varsity team. They have much
to offer the team in field events.
Despite star junior Olivia Ekpone’s transfer to Northwest last
season, the girls’ team looks to be in good shape this year with a strong
core of underclassmen. Senior runner Corinne Duvall believes the
team is just as strong without Ekpone.
“[Olivia’s loss] doesn’t really matter,” Duvall said. “[The team]
gained a lot more strong sprinters to fill her spot.” Valuable sophomores
include Grace Corbett and Casey Dowling. Both Corbett and Dowling
were vital contributors during last year’s girls’ County Championship.
Dowling looks particularly strong this year in both the 55- and
300-meter dash, along with the long jump. Corbett excels in the
500-meter dash and the 800-meter run. Both are expected to be
serious contenders to place in their respective events.
Seniors Andrea Maxwell, Annie Munro and Katie Falk and junior
Maya Walsh also need to have fast starts if the Lady Pats want to
achieve early success.
Still, the Lady Patriots were ranked third on a pre-season Indoor
Track poll on mocorunning.com.
The team’s first meet, scheduled for Dec. 5 at the PG Sports &
Learning Complex, was canceled. The Patriots look for future meets
to showcase their fresh, young talent.
“We have been working with freshmen and sophomores on the
relays,” Duvall said. “We think they will be able to contribute a lot.”

nonSENSE

17

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Student leaves ID at home, eats
Air Force Ones for lunch
Demetri Tzamaras
blippoty blop
Controversy was sparked among Wootton
students and cafeteria staff Wednesday when
sophomore John Kraggle did not have his student
ID with him as he attempted to buy lunch. “I got
to the register with my french fries and chocolate
milk, but the lady wouldn’t let me pay,” Kraggle
said, as he let tears flow down his face.
Kraggle begged and pleaded with the cafeteria
worker on duty to simply let him punch in his ID
number on the pad, but the worker would not let
him. “I’m just not allowed to do that,” Ms Judy
Woo later commented. “It’s an administrative
policy, and I don’t have any say in it.”
Desperate for food and water, Kraggle
wandered the cafeteria, asking his fellow classmates
for morsels of their lunches. “He came up to me,
and he was deprived of all energy. His figure was
thin and emaciated,” senior Anne Trogden said.
“He asked me for some carrots from my lunch, but
I hadn’t eaten all day, so I didn’t give him anything.”
Kraggle had eaten nothing all day, and his fifth
period lunch would eventually come to an end.
He knew he had to eat something, because school
rules prohibit eating in class. “I was really hungry,”
Kraggle said.
Without much time to spare, Kraggle took off
his shoes and grabbed a knife and fork.
Kraggle was seen biting at the tongue of his
right shoe and cutting up the soles with his knife.
“I saw him sitting by himself and he was
slurping up his shoelaces like spaghetti, so I pointed
him out to my friends and we all laughed him,”
junior Brian Macintosh said.
Kraggle, desperate for any sort of nutrition,
chewed away at his $135 Nike Air Force Ones. He
gnawed up the clean white leather, tore up the sole,
and swallowed the tongue in one bite.
“It was a sacrifice I had to make,” Kraggle said
with tears in his eyes.
As the bell rang to end fifth period, Kraggle
was finishing his shoes. “They weren’t that bad,
but I got really thirsty,” Kraggle said. His now
unquenchable thirst was all he could feel. “I really

wanted chocolate milk, but I couldn’t get any
without my ID, so I went to the water fountain,”
Kraggle added.
As soon as the fountain water hit his lips,
Kraggle knew he was making a mistake. “That was
the worst water I’ve ever had, but I drank it because
I was so thirsty,” Kraggle said.
The toxic-tasting water left an aftertaste in
his mouth that seemed spawned from the darkest
depths of Hades.
Kraggle’s shoe-eating dilemma left him
barefoot for the rest of the day. He was mocked
and ridiculed by all his peers, who showed no mercy.
“That kid John Kraggle is so antisocial and lame,”
freshman mathlete Zachary Hallows said.
“You’d have to be a weirdo to walk around
without shoes,” sophomore Betty Salzano said as
she attempted to signal aliens.
Kraggle’s mother is furious. “Who let him eat
his shoes? The school is supposed to watch my
son! And the water! The children should have the
cleanest, most crystal clear water that nature and
modern technology has to offer,” Mrs. Kraggle
said. Mrs. Kraggle is meeting with Principal Dr.
Michael Doran on Friday.
Kraggle has since gotten over the traumatizing
experience that occurred on Wednesday, but he still
does not understand why he could not purchase his
French fries and chocolate milk without his ID. “I
have the money in my account…isn’t the money
what they want?” Kraggle asked. “It’s not like
someone would memorize my ID number and use
it to steal food from me each and every day. That’s
just cruel,” Kraggle said.

U.S. Mint Runs out of Gold
Coin, Fingers Point at Lucky the
Leprechaun
Drew Endick
Hermit and numismatist
In recent weeks, the stockpile
of Bald Eagle gold coins at
U.S. Mint offices has shrunk
dramatically, forcing prices of the
trademark coin to sky rocket and
U.S . demand for gold to increase.
Despite widespread rumor that the
Mint simply sold out, allegations
of a mysterious thief have been
proven true by security footage.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
chief video examiner, special agent,
Edward McClay, has accused
Lucky Charms mascot, Lucky the
Leprechaun, of armed robbery.
According to McClay’s report,
Lucky broke through one of the
Philadelphia Mint Office’s front
windows, and continued to throw
several thousand of the gold Bald
Eagle coins into his seemingly small
yet endless pot.
“To be honest, I was not
surprised to see Lucky in the video.
What I was surprised at, however;
his pot remained empty of any sort
of charm or prize the entire time,”
McClay said.
Lucky was summoned by the
FBI early next morning and was
immediately put to trial and found
guilty. He is set to serve twenty year
sentence in Guantanamo Bay.
“Lucky’s pot of gold is rather
blunt, and magical, an unstoppable
and potentially deadly force,”
McClay said referring to Lucky’s
startlingly long sentence.
“We
do not consider mystical beings
citizens; we had no choice but to
put him in Gitmo.”
Even though the leprechaun
was arrested and admitted the crime
was his own, he denied several

questions about the mysterious
disappearance of the coins into his
pot and where they may be located.
“My client cannot and never
will respond to the public demand
for returning the coins,” defense
attorney and Lucky’s advisor Mark
Rigington said. “They are his lucky
charms now.”
In result to the first cooperation
between federal agents and cereal
mascots, a search team has been
formed in hopes of finding the
coins, which are worth over one
billion dollars.
“Usually I follow my nose
wherever it goes,” head of
investigation, Toucan Sam said.
“But gold just isn’t fruit loops.”
Sam’s team consists of
McClay’s men and contractors from
the private sector such as Tony the
Tiger and Captain Crunch.
Despite the obvious skill of the
team, no progress has been made by
any member. Both the search team
and the public, however, remain
optimistic about the lost currency.
“[The FBI’s] public approval
is good right now,” McClay said.
“Requests from the public to join
the search are pouring in by the
hundreds.”
The defendant, however,
remains content and assured that
his gold, like always, will remain
where he left it. “They’re always
after me lucky charms,” Lucky said.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
NonSENSE is Wootton’s premier page
forhumor,absurdism,andotherrandom
musings.Hopefully,littleinthesearticles
is factual. Please direct comments to
woottoncommonsense@gmail.com

New Moon: Money well-spent or Homewrecker?

Why can’t my life be this awesome? My boyfried is lame
and could never fulfill my
wants. Not only are Jacob and
Edward smokin’ hot, but they
have many of the traits I’m
looking for in a future lifetime
mate. They’re witty, gentle,
protective, chivalrous, handy
and alluring. But what’s up
with Bella? She just whines the
entire movie about how much
her life sucks, because she has
two guys that are in love with
her. Well, maybe Bella would
like to trade places with me. I
spend my nights doing homework and hanging out with
this loser sitting next to me.
I bet Edward doesn’t wear the
cheap cologne he does.

This movie explains why girlfriends suck. She owes me for
sitting through this crap. I am
almost glad that the screaming audience has blocked out
the terrible dialogue. Why do
girls want us men to be vampires anyway? Can vampires
even climb trees? This whole
idea does not make any sense
to me. If I were to be a mythical creature, I would definitely
be a centuar. Those things are
freaking half horse and half
man. That’s sexy to me. Well,
at least I know how to feed
the fire tonight: the Twilight
series I gave to my girlfriend.
It hasn’t left her night stand
since our anniversary...from
two years ago :’(

Although “Aida” tells the tragic story of two star-crossed
lovers, the cast is able to keep their hopes up and spirits high
thanks to the bubbly and lively aura of senior, electric-bluemascara-wearing, PS3-playing, Virgo Jenay McNeil, who is
playing the role of title character Aida.
“She’s always very excited and energetic,” senior and
assistant stage manager Aaron Fensterheim said. “I think
Jenay is mega-magnificent.”
McNeil, born in Detroit but raised in Maryland, is
known in the Wootton theater world for her fun quirks and
positive attitude.
“I think Jenay is really fun-loving, and she really enjoys
whatever she does. She can work hard when she needs to, but
also she knows how to have fun,” junior ensemble member
Gavin Kramar said.
“I love the fact that she wears her glasses on a chain like
a grandma,” senior and props girl Julie Arbit said.
McNeil is not only fun to work with, but also extremely
talented vocally, already receiving praise and recognition.
“She has an incredible voice, and hearing her, I could’ve
seen her on Broadway doing this,” co-director Ms. Jacqueline
Serratore said. “The audience is going to be in for a real
treat, seeing those little glimpses.”
McNeil started her Wootton career off strong as only
one of three freshmen cast in musical “Children of Eden.”
Since then, McNeil has also been in “Sweeney Todd” as an
ensemble member, “Honk!” as the bullfrog, “My Favorite
Year” as an ensemble member, “Grease” as Jan, and “Beauty
and the Beast” as a “silly girl.”
“It’s a small part, but you know what? You make the

photo by Vivian Chen

Ensemblemembers lookon as McNeil practices her lines.

most of the parts you have onstage,” co-director Mr. Adam
Graham said, reminiscing about the most recent show he
has done with Jenay, “Beauty and the Beast.” “She made the
most of it. They were funny, those three girls. A lot of that
was Jenay, too.”
McNeil does not have a favorite show, but she does have
fond memories from them all. She does have a favorite role.
“I really loved being the bullfrog. That was fun. It was
like short, sweet, to the point,” McNeil said. “I had a really
cute costume. It was like a little green tux.”
McNeil has already played the role of Aida this summer
through the Summer Musical Theater Institute at Blake High
School’s production.
“It was kind of like the dream role since I was a
freshman,” McNeil said. With former choral director Carla
Ingram’s departure, McNeil doubted that she would get her
chance to play the role. “I did it there [at Blake], and you
know had a good time, but completely forgot that it was
even a possibility here,” McNeil said.
McNeil heard the good news during the summer from
junior T’Ziano D’Affuso. Although rumors were circulating
that McNeil was a shoe-in for the lead role, she still took her
audition seriously and professionally.
“I think it’s a really great opportunity for her,” Graham
said, regarding McNeil having already played the part. “She
gets to work with two different directing teams on the
same role. That sort of input, that sort of involvement,
and that sort of take on one role I think is a great and rare
opportunity.”
Despite her previous work, McNeil does not let it get to
her head, and she is still receptive of any advice she is given.
“She’s very easy to work with,” Graham said. “She
doesn’t assume she has all the answers, but she’s not afraid to
make the choice, and that’s really good.”
Serratore agrees. “She takes the blocking and takes the
critiques and improves and works on it,” Serratore said. “It
shows a mature performer and not somebody that I would
think is high-school level.”
McNeil discovered that she could sing when she was
trying to impress a friend in the third grade. When she was
younger, she did not want to be a performer, but rather an
ice cream scooper because of the free ice cream. However,
McNeil kept seeing shows, both on the high school and
Broadway level, and they continued to attract her to the
theater community.
“I just want to be like everyone on Broadway, like
everyone who sings,” McNeil said. “I [also] saw ‘Seussical’
[at Wootton], and I was like, ‘That looks like so much fun,’
and I had to be a part of it somehow.”
Another source of inspiration for McNeil is her uncle.
“My uncle is an amazing singer. Hearing his voice at a funeral
was really moving,” McNeil said. “I really wanted to be able
to use my voice like he did.”
Since discovering her passion, theater has been a
constant part of McNeil’s life. In sixth grade, Jenay played Ms.
Hannigan in the Creative Theater Workshop’s production of
“Annie Jr.,” and she also participated in her middle school’s

photo by Vivian Chen

The ensemble surrounds McNeil during “Aida” rehearsals.

annual show “Dessert Theater.” The summer before
“Aida,” she played Angela in Wildwood Summer Theater’s
production of “Parade.” McNeil also took voice lessons at
MTC for a year and improvisation classes at Roundhouse
Theater in sixth grade. Now, theater is an undeniable part of
McNeil’s life, and it is not something she intends to give up.
“I still want to do [theater] no matter what,” McNeil
said. “No matter what, I’m going to do it somehow, even if
it’s not a profession.”
In terms of future plans, McNeil is not quite sure what
lies ahead with college, but this does not seem to faze her.
“Honestly, I haven’t known what I’ve wanted to do ever,
like in college at least. I kind of just want to go with the flow
and see where it gets me,” McNeil said.
Although McNeil is very dedicated to theater, she also
manages to find the time to commit to other extracurricular
activities. She is a member of National Honor Society, Tri-M,
Hindu Culture Club, the all-female a capella group Acabellas,
and the Drama Club (of which she is President). McNeil
helps teach music to her fellow Acabellas, and last year at
the Wootton A Capella Festival, McNeil won an award for
best solo during a cover of Rihanna’s “Disturbia” with
the Acabellas. McNeil also emceed last year’s International
Night, and she formed a step team her sophomore year.
McNeil learned to step at her church, where she is a member
of the choir.
“I like singing gospel, because you can just do whatever
you want,” McNeil said.
McNeil also has her share of unique activities; she knows
how to do Brazilian Jujitsu, and she is still a Girl Scout. She
can also beatbox and sing at the same time.
“My favorite part about working with Jenay is that she
is awesome. I mean she’s just the best type of person to be
around,” fellow troop member senior Caroline Canter said.
McNeil’s schedule may be overbooked, but at the end of
the day, the general consensus is that she is the perfect choice
for her part. “Jenay has a lot of energy when she’s on stage,
and she always has a lot of fun at rehearsals. She’s a lot of
fun to interact with, and she always brings a lot of life to the
stage,” Kramar said.
“I’ve watched Jenay’s growth; I’ve watched her
confidence; I’ve listened to her voice as it has progressed,
and I think that all of that comes together through this role,”
Graham said.

You actually can take it with you: School play provides laughs all around
Azzah Ahmed
managing editor
In this year’s production of “You
Can’t Take It With You,” the Wootton
Arts department astounded crowds with
an amazing performance once again. With
outstanding actors, “You Can’t Take It With
You” is a show that took the audience along
for an enjoyable and compelling ride.
The story follows the lives of the
members of the Sycamore family, living in
New York City. The patriarch of the family
is Martin Vanderhoff, played by senior Alex
Garretson. Vanderhoff encourages his
family to live by their own rules. His goal
is for his family to live however they please
without worrying about society’s scrutiny.
For example, his granddaughter Essie
(senior Claire Mauro) has been training to
be a ballerina for eight years. Despite her
perseverance, her improvement has been
minimal. However, oblivious to the demands
of her pressuring family, Essie remains
blissfully unaware of her lack of skill, and
remains enthralled with dancing.
The plot thickens when Vanderhoff ’s
other granddaughter Alice (junior Helena

Farhi) falls in love with Tony Kirby (junior
Gavin Kramar). Kirby is the son of the very
wealthy owner of Kirby and Co., Anthony
Kirby (junior Devin Goodman), and his
wife Miriam Kirby (senior Faith Nelson).
As the story proceeds, Tony proposes
to Alice, and they plan for their families to
meet each other before the wedding. Alice
convinces her family to put a hold on their
eccentric ways for an evening to entertain
the Kirbys and ensure that the marriage will
go on as planned without scaring the Kirbys
away. However, when the Kirbys arrive a
day early the Sycamore family is caught
unprepared.
Seeing the Kirbys, Alice’s mother
Penelope Sycamore (senior Mikaela Katz)
jumps into action. She pulls together dinner
with some help from the family maid and
cook Rehba (junior Lauren Fagan) and her
boyfriend Donald (sophomore Mitchell
Myers) and tries to create a ‘normal’
atmosphere for the families to mingle.
While the families wait, they play a
word association game that exposes the
true nature of each of the families; the
Sycamores are the content ones, while the
Kirbys are really the ones with problems.

This leads to tension between the families,
resulting in the Kirbys’ disapproval of the
marriage. However, in the end, Tony and
Alice reunite, and the Kirbys accept the
unconventional manner of the Sycamores’
lifestyle.
“The audience really loved it, and we
have had so much performing for them,”
Farhi said.
Overall, “You Can’t Take It with You”
provided an entertaining show filled with
laughter and fun that is great for the whole
family. The actors delivered an amusing
performance and kept the audience in
stitches.
“I think that we had a lot of energy. We
really fed off the crowd’s reactions to what
we were doing,” Kramar said. “We were
really able to get into the characters and
enjoy ourselves on stage.”
The students casted for their individual
roles worked harmoniously to deliver a great
show and keep the audience entertained
from the beginning to end.
“I think that this show was perfectly
casted; there was no one that had a flawed
performance, and everyone was great,”
Garretson said.

This production features incredible
acting by all members of the cast from
junior Divya Mouli’s portrayal of a drunk,
washed-up actress to senior Andre Silva’s
acting as the ballet instructor Boris
Kolenkhov. Garretson shines as Vanderhoff,
and as a veteran of Wootton productions, he
convincingly depicts the role of the lovable
“Grandpa.”
“It was probably one of the most fun
plays I have ever performed. It was really a
great experience,” Garretson said.
“You Can’t Take It With You” was
performed on a high level not only on stage,
but technically as well.
“I think the show was really good. It
was an interesting show, and the set turned
out really well,” senior stage manager Dahlia
Ting said. “The cast had a lot of fun with it
and a lot of energy.”
“Overall, we did really well; for some
reason we had one moment when one of
the microphones kicked off, and other than
that it went well,” senior head of sound
Wolfgang Devine said. “The actors did a
really phenomenal job; they had a couple of
little mix ups, but they covered it up really
well with the improv.”

ARTS

19

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Students prepare with high hopes for “Aida”
Samantha Ritwo
arts editor
For anyone who loves romance and
love triangles, fight scenes and evil schemes,
rock’n’roll with an African flare, classmates
performing dances in ancient attire, or any
combination of the above, the upcoming
school musical “Aida” promises to entice
from the beginning.
This “timeless love story” takes place
in a time where the Nubians are at war
with the Egyptians. The Egyptians capture
several Nubians, including Nubian princess
Aida, although she keeps her identity a
secret. The captain of the Egyptian army,
Radames, immediately sees something
“special” in Aida. However, not only is their
love forbidden, but to make matters worse,
Radames is betrothed to the Pharaoh’s
daughter Amneris. Radames’ father, Zoser, is
so determined to ensure his son’s immediate
marriage that he will do whatever it takes,
with dire consequences. Upon discovering
the capture of their princess, the Nubians
turn to her for hope of freedom. The story
line progresses as Aida and Radames fall
in love, but the question becomes, is this
another happily ever after?
Senior Jenay McNeil plays title character
Aida. Starring alongside McNeil in the show
are seniors Jonathan Helwig as Radames and

image courtesy of Andrew Consroe

Consroecreated“Aida”setplansusing“SketchUp.”

Jordan Smilan-Goldstein as Amneris, and
juniors Joey Horwitz as Zoser and Jeffrey
Popkin as Mereb, a Nubian slave who tries to
be loyal to both Radames and the Nubians.
“It’s all J’s,” co-director Ms. Jacqueline
Serratore joked, pointing out that all the
lead actors’ names begin with the letter “J.”
“They work together well. They balance
well together. Their voices mesh, so they
do really well singing wise, and then acting
[wise], a lot of the parts just fit them kind of
perfectly with their personalities.”
Serratore has been co-directing
alongside Mr. Adam Graham. While
Graham was working on the recent play
“You Can’t Take it With You,” Serratore was
focused on teaching all of the music to the
cast. Now, the directors are more concerned
with blocking and smoothing out the scenes.
“This is a dramatic piece; it’s an acting
piece, and these people…really suited their
parts well,” Graham said. “Since we have
such strong singers in the show, it sounds
great.”
“Aida” is a modern take on an old Italian
opera with the same name. The music was
all composed by Elton John, and all the
lyrics were written by Tim Rice.
“It’s all very rock based,” sophomore
Evan Rindler said, “but it tries to do different
things. There’s sort of like a Motown piece,
there’s a reggae piece…every piece has a
little bit of something Egyptian in it, because
it’s an Egyptian play, but it goes over a wide
range of different rock types, rock ballads,
things like that.” Rindler is a member of
the pit, playing the drum set. The pit for
this show, unlike the cast of approximately
30 people, is much smaller, with around 10
students participating. “It seems small, but
we sound good,” Rindler said.
In 2000 “Aida” won a Tony award for
Best Score.

“I like the music a lot in general,
because it’s very contemporary,” Graham
said. McNeil agrees. “I could listen to the
soundtrack forever,” McNeil said.
The set for the show is relatively
straightforward with a block-like layout, and
it is primarily stationary, except for a couple
of smaller set pieces.
“There are multiple platforms with
multiple levels in order to give depth to
the set as well as give lead roles a chance
to stand out from the other characters,”
junior Andrew Consroe said. “The set is
very versatile in that it doesn’t insinuate
a very specific setting, so we use it when
they’re in Egypt itself, and when they’re in a
museum…it’s very multi-purpose.”
Consroe is master carpenter for the
stage crew, and he works first-hand with the
set plans, even using a computer program
called Sketch-Up to create a 3-D model.
“You can look at how the set is actually
going to look before we build it, which is a
cool feature,” Consroe said.
A unique challenge the production
teams faces this year is that “Aida” opens
the weekend after winter break, making that
first week back to school “tech week.” Tech
week is the time when cast, crew, and pit
come together to rehearse the show all the
way through multiple times, often staying at
school at least until 8 p.m.
“It’s not an ideal situation,” Graham said,
“but I think we’ll be able to make it work.”
Graham’s goal is to have the week before
winter break serve as a “mini tech-week,”
so that everyone will be fully prepared after
winter break.“It’s a pretty intense rehearsal
schedule,” McNeil said. “We’ll be ready.”
Originally, Graham had already chosen
“Little Shop of Horrors” to be the fall
musical. However, due to the scheduling
conflicts, it seemed a difficult choice. Then,

photo by Vivian Chen

Femaleensemblemembersrehearseadancescene.

a professional company in Washington, D.C.
contracted the show, restricting any nonprofit productions.
“When ‘Little Shop [of Horrors]’ fell
through, [Aida] seemed like an obvious fit,”
Graham said.
Despite any obstacles in their way, the
cast is working hard and having fun.
“It’s a lot more work than I’ve done
for any of the other shows,” junior and
ensemble member Matt Cho said, “[but] it’s
definitely going to be worth it.”
Graham just hopes that the enthusiasm
spreads to the other students.
“I feel like we always do shows with a
mind that we want to appeal to our own
students, and yet I don’t think that a lot of
them take the chance of coming and seeing
why we’re doing a show,” Graham said.
“This is one of those shows that if kids
like things like the ‘Twilight’ series coming
out, there’s no way they wouldn’t enjoy this.
This is about two young people who are in
love and the odds are in their way, and it’s
very dramatic. The music is great, so [the
students] should come and see it.”
“Aida” will run Jan. 7-10 in the
auditorium. Tickets are $8 for general
admission and $12 for reserved seating.
“It’s just a really catchy, fun show with
great numbers, and it just really has a great
feel for especially a fall musical,” Serratore
said.

Orchestra concert hits all the right notes Asian American dance
Anna Agarunova
staff writer
What better way to start off the winter season
than with the beautiful musical stylings of the Wootton
Concert, Symphonic, and Chamber Orchestra? Last
Thursday, Dec. 3, students, staff, and teachers had the
opportunity to enjoy assorted classical and modern
masterpieces, in an annual concert held in the auditorium
at 7 p.m.
“We [did] a lot of folk music at this concert,”
orchestra director Ms. Carolyn Herman said. “Not
American folk–the themes and composers are from the
early 20th century, so it’s nationalistic music. It’s a period
of time in the arts where people were creating music that
they felt represented their country or was of a certain
origin.”
The concert began with a beautiful classical piece by
the concert orchestra, captivating audience members from
the first note. The first song performed was stylistically
impressive and pleasing. According to Herman, their
music a romantic Paganini variation, and a contemporary
piece called “The Odyssey,” which is based on the epic
poem of the same name.
Another piece performed was a beautiful melody
titled “October,” which as the name suggests, was meant
to be played in the fall, but unfortunately the Wootton
Orchestra was unable to perform the piece as they had
intended a few months ago. Despite the out-of-season
performance, “October” was a hit in December.
“I’m really impressed by how well the students
mastered the music,” parent Sandy Boyson said. “It’s not
just the technical quality, but it’s the emotional quality
of the pieces. I think that they really express so much
emotion in the music. I just listened to the “October”
piece, and it just brought back all the feelings of autumn,
changing fall leaves, and life moving into a different time.
It was wonderful.”
Symphonic orchestra continued the concert with a
more contemporary piece, written by a composer Eric
Witacre. According to Herman, Witacre originally wrote
choral music, and toyed with the idea of writing string
literature on an assignment. His first attempt at orchestral

music was a piece titled, “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas.” The
symphonic orchestra performed one of his later works, a
3-movement song called “Choreography.”
Solos by senior Cally Deppen and freshman Jeffrey
Yang especially received praise from audience members
for impressive skill and mastery. “Cally had a more
substantial viola solo in Symphonic orchestra,” Herman
said.
The Chamber orchestra has two pieces of
nationalistic folk music, one by Gustav Holst and the
other by William Grant Still, who was actually one of
the most prolific African American composers in the era.
Their second piece had a Celtic flavor, like an Irish jig.
The pieces are very different, and beautifully performed
Thursday evening.
At the end of the concert there were two combined
pieces with the orchestras, one being a Mendelssohn
symphony, and the other combining Symphonic and
Chamber orchestra, and some wind players in Beethoven’s
Egmont Overture, which is based on the life of Count
Egmont.
“The music is very bold, very loud, very Beethoven,”
Herman said. “It’s very in your face, and in the end
Egmont is actually killed, so there’s a segment in the
music where you can tell that’s where the story takes
you.”
The shows preparation included constant rehearsal
and student practice at home, in order to perfect
the sound quality and overall precision of the pieces
performed. students practiced for weeks in the orchestra
room, learning their respective parts and memorizing the
classical works they performed.
“We rehearsed since the beginning of school, and
most of the classes knew more music the what was
performed,” Herman said. “Some of the pieces we’ve
looked at since day one, and others are really knew - like
one piece I just passed out to the concert orchestra 3
weeks ago. The music is pretty challenging.”
“It was complicated getting everyone in and out
because we had so many people playing in one night,”
senior violist Alexander Boyson said. “It was quite
difficult, but I’d say the concert went really well, all things
considered. We had a great show.”

“bursts” through with style

Melissa Frohman
arts editor
Wootton’s Asian American Club (AAC) hosted their ninth
annual dance, “Burst,” on Friday, Nov. 20 in the Wootton gym.
AAC is known around the county to host this event every year and
welcomes students of all nationalities and from different schools
between the ages of 14 and 19.
“Think of it as homecoming on a much smaller scale,” senior
vice president Christian Ko said.
AAC was established in 1997 to enable students of all races to
come together to have a good time and escape their hectic schedules.
The club, sponsored by Guidance Counselor Wendy Kiang-Spray,
usually meets once a month, and information regarding upcoming
events is discussed.
“This is a ‘feel good’ kind of club, it is very relaxed and fun,”
AAC senior president Amie Park said.
Ko and Park agree that the club is open to all students, even if
they are not of Asian heritage.
AAC’s annual dance is the biggest event of the year for the
club. Profits from the tickets, as well as food sold at the dance,
will be evenly distributed between two Wootton clubs dedicated to
Asian relief. Ai Xin helps raise money for impoverished children
due to disaster in China, and Liberty in North Korea (LINK) raises
money for North Korean Refugees and to raises awareness about
the human rights crisis in the country.
This year, about 78 students attended the dance. In previous
years, the turnout has been greater. A pre-planned dance competition
between five groups of two to five students took place at the dance.
Each group was judged by AAC officers and rewarded based on
their performance. Additionally, prizes were rewarded to those
students who were the “best dressed” and the “best dancer.” After
the groups performed, the dance floor was opened to all students.
AAC treasurer senior Austin Lee came up with the name
“Burst.” AAC chooses a new name inspired by motion or movement
each year. In past years, the dance has been called “Rush” (2008)
and “Impulse” (2007).
AAC hopes to continue their tradition of hosting the dance
each year in November. Meanwhile, they will continue their
charitable mindset by sponsoring other events once a month. This
winter, AAC plans to invite its members to go bowling and lasertagging, followed by a trip to Six Flags in the spring.

What started as a simple concept
to help the less fortunate has grown
into a multi-branched student-run
organization, Operation Fly, Inc.
Senior and President Tim Hwang and
senior and Chief Event Management
Officer Minsoo Han founded the
organization in 2007 when they
realized they shared a common interest
in helping the underprivileged.
“I came from a family that did
not have access to amenities that most
members of the Wootton community
are able to enjoy,” Han said. “My
first-hand experiences with poverty

prompted me to do something about
the issue.”
“We started by going to DC in
small groups to help the homeless,
and then it eventually grew into an
organization,” Hwang said.
Since its beginning in 2007,
Operation Fly has hosted many
fundraisers. The Backs for Packs
fundraiser
includes
backpack
donations from corporations or
individuals to the organization for
distribution in Washington D.C. Also,
in partnership with an organization
called Byte Back, the company teaches
the homeless community basic
computer skills, and is also planning
to help them with drafting job

applications. Members of Operation
Fly regularly visit shelters to help
out. Last year the organization
collected over 4,000 articles of
clothing through the various
fundraisers.
“We get the majority of our things
through donations where people
directly give us blankets, sheets, etc.”
Hwang said.
The organization has expanded
across the nation. Operation Fly is
now located in Chicago, Baltimore,
New York and Washington D.C. and
hopes to expand further to Detroit,
Los Angeles and Houston.
“We’ve put a heavy emphasis on
expansion this past year, and we’ve
been working really hard to stabilize
these other branches,” senior and
Chief Operating Officer Kevin Ma
said. “It’s really exciting to work with
new students around the country in
order to battle poverty in inner cities.”
Expansion and success are more
difficult because the organization is
completely student-run.
“Because Operation Fly is
solely student-led, we make all the
decisions and decide the future of the
organization,” Ma said. “It’s a breath
of fresh air in a world full of rules,
and I am always excited to work with
my peers to come up with creative
ideas for the organization.”
Organization can be difficult
because Operation Fly is run only
by students. Nonetheless, Operation
Fly is divided into departments
such as Human Resources, Event
Management and Public Relations,
each with their own responsibilities.
Generally, each subgroup meets
weekly with monthly meetings for the
entire organization.
“Every time the organization
succeeds, we are overjoyed because
we plan and execute the programs
ourselves from beginning to end,”
Han said.
Operation Fly is now planning
for their annual Sheets for Streets
program, a national clothes drive. All
of the collected items will be passed
out to the homeless.
“It’s really rewarding when you
pass out the food and clothing to
the homeless and see how happy
you make them,” Ma said. “After
talking to them, you get this feeling of
satisfaction that you are really making
an impact on others’ lives.”

Conversations

Tim Hwang

Allie McRae spoke with Student Member of the Board and Operation
Fly president, Tim Hwang, in a candid interview. Hwang was elected
SMOB this April and must balance his time carefully so he can complete
all of his tasks.
What is one thing people don’t know about you?
The one thing most people don’t know about me is that when
I’m not working, I’m just a normal kid who likes to hang
out with his friends. I’m not some superhuman that churns
out work 24/7. That and the fact that I’m not too great of a
driver.
What is your schedule this school year?
This year I take Anatomy, Senior Seminar and AP Biology. I
took over 22 AP Exams: two freshman year, nine sophomore
year, and 11 junior year. I took 15 in school, two online and
self studied five. This year I take five classes at Montgomery
College this year. Since college classes are very flexible, when
I am not going to classes, I go to meetings and am sometimes
invited to go to schools to speak during their lunch.

How do you balance your schedule?
At the Board of Education, I have a couple of secretaries who
help me out, but I do the majority of the scheduling by myself
on my computer. Personally, I have a specific calendar that I
use. I put everything on my computer and connect it to my
phone, which calls me when I have a meeting.
How did you get interested in running for SMOB?
I became very involved in the Democratic Party. I was
Regional Director of Students for Barack Obama and was
serving as Vice President to the County SGA. I realized that
becoming Student Member of the Board could really help
achieve students’ interests.
Do you have any plans as SMOB?
Right now, I only have two main goals: 1. To create a two-way
communication street for students and the SMOB
2. To get the SMOB the right to have their vote counted on
issues like the Budget, Boundaries, Union Contracts, and
school closings.
I’ve worked very hard to create something called the SMOB
2.0 Initiative, where we have one representative from
every high school and middle school and a central staff
communicating it. I’ll be fighting very hard to maintain our
current budget to protect programs, and I’ll be looking
towards expanding cell phone use during lunches.
What are your responsibilities?
I have to attend Board functions to vote on policies, appeals,
union contracts, etc. To be able to vote on these things you
have to keep up with the news constantly, so MCPS comes
to my house everyday with a thick packet of briefing notes
and memos that I have to read every night. I also get between
80 and 200 emails a day on issues from the community so I
have to respond to those. I am required to be a voice for my
constituents so I have to meet with them constantly and hear
their concerns.
Upcoming SMOB meetings:
December 16, 2009:
7 PM SMOB 2.0 Town
Hall
March 17, 2010:
7 PM SMOB 2.0 Town
Hall
March 26, 2010:
7 PM SMOB 2.0 Town
Hall
At 850 Hungerford Dr
Rockville, MD

Hwang’s Favorite Things
Food: Pizza
Band: Relient K

Song: Down by Jay Sean, Pressing On by Relient K
Movie: V for Vendetta, National Treasure
TV show: The West Wing, The Office
Activity: Watching Movies, Listening to music
Book: Dante’s Inferno, Audacity of Hope
Subject in school:
Government and History

21

Features
Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Wootton divided over role of marijuana
from MARIJUANA, page 1

them without judgment.
“I treat it like they made a mistake,” Melvin said.
“Everyone makes mistakes. [What matters] is if they learn
from their mistakes or keep repeating them.”
Senior Elena* feels that marijuana use is more prevalent
in the Wootton social scene than other sources acknowledge.
She believes that at least half of juniors and seniors have at
least experimented with the drug.
“I mean, [overly studious] people may not have [used it],”
Elena said. “But everyone else has tried.” She is also under
the impression that some students smoke at Giant or in the
woods near school premises.
Elena started using marijuana while in New York during
her sophomore year. She started using the drug on a regular
basis last winter. Over the summer, she was smoking four or
five times a day. This year she smokes once or twice a month.
“[Getting high] isn’t exciting anymore,” Elena said.
“There’s a high cost, and when you get high you get hungry
like crazy. You eat everything.”
Due to her parents’ lack of experience with the drug,
Elena was able to smoke freely in her room, because her
parents did not recognize the smell. She told her parents the
unfamiliar aroma was incense.
She funded her habit using money her parents gave her
for good grades and meals at lunch. Elena estimates that she
has spent around $800 funding the habit and has only made
between $200 and $300 selling marijuana.
While Elena was learning to drive with a permit, she also
taught herself to drive under the influence.
“I would never drink and drive, but I learned to drive
stoned while my dad was [in the car with me],” Elena said.
Now when she is stoned, Elena drives once around her
neighborhood to determine if she feels fit to drive longer
distances. Andy, who has also driven after smoking marijuana,
is usually unfazed by possible consequences when getting
behind the wheel.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,
approximately 4-14% of drivers who sustained injuries or
died in traffic accidents tested positive for THC, the active
ingredient in marijuana.
Another senior, who has only smoked four times since
leaving middle school, John,* waited four hours for the drug
to wear off before driving. John felt that the negative effects
of marijuana use have prevented him from consistently
seeking it as a source of entertainment.

“[Smoking marijuana] was kind of fun, but it messed up
my lungs,” John said. “I ran the day after, and it didn’t work
well while running. I couldn’t finish practice.”
Although John sees the real consequences that can
arise with smoking, he remains nonchalant about his
experimentation with marijuana.
“I didn’t know about [marijuana], and my dad always said
try everything and find out what you like,” John joked. Andy
believes marijuana poses less of a threat than other drugs.
“[Marijuana] is nowhere near as addictive as any other
drug,” Andy said. “It can’t kill you unless you do something
while under the influence. I would not push anyone to use it.”
Melvin feels that one of the major risks that come from
marijuana use is the shortness of breath experienced by John,
along with other, more serious consequences.
“You may think you’ll just smoke a little weed, but it can
lead to something worse. [Marijuana] kills lung cells,” Melvin
said.
Twelfth grade administrator Ms. Renee Negin recognizes
the potential for unique health risks for different students,
such as John’s difficulty exercising.
“You never want to consume anything when you don’t
know how it’s going to react in your system. I have seen students
who have been affected negatively by using marijuana,” Negin
said. “I don’t think [students] can learn or succeed to their
highest potential when under the influence.”
Senior Malida Tadesse has several friends who both
smoke marijuana sparsely and use it on a more regular basis.
For her, the negative consequences of using the drugs have
kept her from experimenting with it. “[Marijuana] is just not
worth the time,” Tadesse said. She also has seen the lifestyle
that friends often adopt after they start smoking. “Once they
started, they moved on to harder drugs,” Tadesse said. “There
are no positive consequences of [using marijuana].”
Melvin echoes the concern that marijuana often acts
as a gateway drug. “Students keep smoking until they want
something else,” Melvin said.
Wootton provides many resources to prevent students
from making the mistakes Melvin alludes to. Negin feels
that the Student Assistant Program (SAP) and health classes
provide students with valuable information regarding the
consequences of drug use.
“Health teachers do a good job teaching about risks,”
Negin said. “[Faculty] certainly counsel students if we believe
there is a problem.”
*Names have been changed.

Marijuana

By The Numbers

According to a 2008 Monitoring the Future study by the
University of Michigan:
~ 32.4% of high school seniors reported that they had
used marijuana in the past 12 months
~ 42.6% of seniors reported that they have used marijuana at least once
~ The past-month use of marijuana of high school seniors increased from 12% to 19% from 1992 to 2008
~ The reported past-month use of marijana reached a
peak of 37% in 1978 and was a low of 12% in 1992.
According to a study by the United States Bureau of
Justice Services jointly with the Department of Education, 83.9% of seniors reported that they could obtain
marijuana easily
In 2006, Drug Abuse Warning Network reported that
marijuana use was involved in 290,563 emergency
room visits based on information from the US Department of Health and Human Services
In the Surgeon General’s Warning against marijuana
use, it is reported that the drug causes:
~ short term memory loss
~ slowness of learning
~ impaired immune response
~ possible adverse effects on heart function
~ decreased sperm count and motility
The surgeon general says that children and adolescents are more vunerable to the drug’s behavioral and
psychological effects.

22

Features
Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Spin that record, Mr. Disc Jockey

Wootton DJs mix it up at parties for students
Demetri Tzamaras
staff writer

All Grown Up

Emily Burklow and Eleni Kessler
managing editors
The holidays should be a time of joy, not a
time of sorrow. Students should be home with
their families chasing that warm fuzzy feeling so
familiar to us during December. They should be
baking sugary treats with their mothers or watching
Claymation films on ABC Family. They should not
be doing 20 projects all due within 48 hours of
each other.
It’s ironic how every year during what is
supposed to be a season of peace and love, the
universe conspires to ruin your life in the most
slow, thorough and utterly painful manner
possible. Teachers assign projects that may require
very little brainpower but are so tedious that they
consume all of your time and energy. Cutting and
pasting pictures onto poster board. Traveling for
an hour and a half to photograph animals that you
can see on the Internet. Sitting at your computer
coming up with that perfect color scheme for your
PowerPoint presentation. All completely pointless.
All failing to demonstrate any knowledge we
actually have. Teachers think they are doing us a
favor by giving us a “creative outlet.” We’d rather
write that in-class essay or take a measly quiz. The
academic torture of these tasks may be brutal, but
at least it’s quick. Those projects are like malicious
boa constrictors wrapping themselves around you
until they squeeze out every breath of life you
have in you.
We hesitate even to begin to mention stress
from colleges. Those admissions boards must have
something against Santa Claus, because they really
like to steal his thunder. December 15 is decision
day (a new kind of D-Day). This is the day that
some students are finding out about the schools
of their dreams. These are schools to which they
have applied early decision, signing financially
binding contracts. This day, buried in the midst of
holiday bliss, has the potential to make or break
a student’s year. While decorating your Christmas
tree or lighting the menorah, how would you
like to receive an e-mail that reads, “Sorry. You’re
not good enough?” For those students who have
applied early, the idea of this letter hanging over
their heads this holiday season can drive them to
insanity.
People talk about saving for college or a nice
car. Little do these modern wise men know, this
economic recession applies to teenagers too. Let’s
just say the babysitting market has been a bit dry
this season. Now, we’re just as broke as Fannie
and Freddie. Here we are being tantalized by the
media, not by stick-thin models (self-consciousness
is so last year), but by the charms of the newest
iPod or flashy cell phone. As we watch those suave
yuppies frolicking around to the latest indie tune
chosen by Apple, we ache to join them. Then we
cry. Retail therapy is a thing of the past. During
more prosperous times, we always thought we
were above material goods. Well, we’re not.
We don’t mean to complain in this most holy
of seasons. Of course, we’re still thankful for our
loved ones, our health and the advantages that we
do have. In the face of adversity, sometimes the
only medicine left is a cup of hot chocolate, a plate
of latkes and a precious little gingerbread man. ‘Tis
the season.

Hundreds of
students at
Wootton have jobs. Most kids work at
restaurants or grocery stores to make
some spending money. Some students
tutor their peers and babysit younger
children for extra cash. However, a
handful of students take a unique
approach to making money: disc
jockeying at parties and events.
Seniors Aaron Fensterheim and
Wolfgang Devine work as disc jockeys
(DJs) and they love it. “It’s fun,”
Fensterheim said. He enjoys being
able to do something that not many
kids can do. “It involves music, and
photo courtesy of Wolfgang Devine
not many kids get the chance to do it,” SeniorWolfgangDevineusesup-to-datetechnologytocreatemixesforhisjobasadiscjockey.
Fensterheim said.
his friend. When that friend stopped as it sounds.
“I like music a lot, and so it’s a DJ-ing, Fensterheim bought all the
“It’s not that complicated,”
great way to share music with people,” equipment from his friend because he Devine said. “You have to engage and
Devine said. Music is a strong influence thought it was a sound investment.
watch people’s reactions and gauge
for both of them.
Being a DJ requires a good their taste.”
Devine particularly enjoys the amount of equipment. “You’ve got
Being able to give people the music
fact that disc jockeying is a live a PA, a couple speakers and an amp, they want to hear is an important
activity. “The performance aspect a computer, and I use this controller aspect of a DJ’s career.
is nice because you’re out there called Xponent and a software called
Fensterheim enjoys being able to
performing, but you’re not at the Torq,” Devine said. Xponent is a two- play the music he likes, but says clients
center of everything like at a play or a channel DJ mixer that allows the DJ can sometimes be difficult to deal
concert,” Devine said. Performing and to access digital files, and Torq is a with. “People go crazy about it and try
projecting a “DJ persona” allows the software that offers creative options, to make it go exactly how they see it in
DJ to express himself creatively and to such as music mixing, to the DJ in real their eyes, and it doesn’t it always work
put on a show.
time.
like that,” Fensterheim said. The DJ
Disc jockeying keeps the two
Devine works from his computer has creative control and plays what he
busy as well as satisfied. Fensterheim without CDs or records, which was feels is appropriate.
works an event almost every other until now an untraditional way of
According to Devine, catering
week and sometimes multiple times storing music. Devine commented that to the clients is still very important.
per week. The workload does not the technology DJs use to perform is “You’ve got to play music everybody
bother him though, because being a shifting. In fact, renowned DJ Tiësto else likes,” Devine added. While
DJ is profitable. “It’s a nice source of recently switched from CDs to an all- he likes to play the music that he
income,” Devine said.
digital format. “It’s just a lot easier,” personally enjoys, pleasing the client
Fensterheim has been jockeying Devine added.
is crucial because the client is the one
discs since 2005. At that point, he
Despite all the equipment needed who pays the DJ, after all.
got a job at a local school DJ-ing with to be a DJ, disc jockeying is not as hard

Take a peek inside the Wootton lunch box
Azzah Ahmed
managing editor
Every day from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
the Wootton cafeteria is packed with
students, taking 45 minutes off from
their hectic, jam-packed school days.
During this time many students
catch up with friends, finish up homework, and most importantly eat lunch.
The option between bringing
a lunch or buying a school lunch is
a choice most students make every
day.
While both hold different merits,
many students categorize themselves
solidly, into one group or another.

Some students, however, switch
between bringing lunch from home,
and buying lunch from school.
“Some days I don’t like to make
my food at night, so I just buy it, but
most days I make it,” sophomore
Karishma Mathur said. “I always make
sandwiches, but usually different kinds
of sandwiches.”
Many students prefer the variety
of making their own lunch, and opt
out of the constant cafeteria food.
However, others would rather
enjoy the pre-prepared food that the
school offers, without the hassle of
making their own lunch every morning.

photo by Azzah Ahmed

Students enjoy their brown bagged lunches during a typical school lunch in the cafeteria.

“I don’t like to wait in long lines,
so I bring a lunch,” Mathur said.
The extensive lines in the cafeteria
prevent certain students from buying
a school lunch, while others choose to
wait.
Some have even found methods
to obtain their school lunch without
the delay of long lines, by avoiding the
beginning of lunch rush.
“Because of the really long lines,
the best time to buy it is towards the
middle of the period,” senior Chris
Fann said.
Aside from long lines, many students choose to bring a lunch from
home for the dietary value that a home
packed lunch provides.
Instead of eating french fries,
burgers, pizza or ice cream, students
who bring lunch from home can bring
sandwiches, fresh fruits and vegetables, and salads.
“When I bring lunch from home,
I feel like I pack a more nutritious
lunch,” sophomore Jhansi Kata said.
Other students would prefer to
enjoy a hot meal that can provide nutrition in itself.
“I buy lunch at school so I can get
a hot lunch,” Fann said.
While underclassmen are prohibited from leaving grounds during
lunch periods, seniors with internships
or those who are students of College
Institute have the unique opportunity
to leave school grounds and get their
lunch elsewhere.

23

Features
Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Teachers pregnant with perseverence

teachers have supplied me with
much-needed chocolate. Ike Onley
recently hand-delivered chocolate
with bacon. Genius!” Price said.
Price said that her pregnancy
brought various comments in
the hallways. Some of them
include “You were born to
breed,” “You’re showing signs
of the pregnancy waddle,”
and “What’s in the English
Department water?”
Social studies teacher Mrs. Amy
Pollin, who gave birth to now
five-month old Ella, remembers
the hardship that she dealt with
throughout her pregnancy.
“You’re up there teaching,
and if you’re not feeling
well, you can’t just go to the
office,” Pollin said.
After her baby was
born this year, Pollin took
leave from teaching during
the first marking period to
take care of her newborn.
She still kept in contact with
her classes by exchanging
e-mails with her substitute.
“Because I knew it was
going to be a short period, I
photo by Daniel Moon
could enjoy the time with my Shelbie Webb, six months
daughter and look forward to pregnant,preparestowelcome
her first child, AustenWarner
coming back,” Pollin said.
Biology teacher Dr. Rebecca Webb.
Firoved left the school last year
when her child Evan was born. Before she left school, eating
more and spending more time in bathroom were some of
the main issues she dealt with. But unlike Pollin, she was
only gone for eight weeks because she gave birth during the
summer. “[Having the baby during the summer] gives you a
chance to bond with your child, along with giving you time
for physical recovery,” Firoved said.
The H1N1 virus is another problem that pregnant
teachers have to deal with. With the flu circulating around
the school community, pregnant teachers have to be extra
cautious in order to avoid getting the virus. Pregnant women
are known to be more susceptible to becoming sick, which
can do damage to an unborn child.
Despite the difficulties and potential dangers, however,
these teachers enjoy overwhelming support from both the
students and the other teachers. Some help with naming the
child, while others give tips about how to take care of the
pregnant body.
“I think it’s helpful to be in a work environment where
people understand the demands and challenges of pregnancy
and motherhood,” Price said.
The help from the school, will power, and of course,
photo courtesy of Amy Pollin
love for their children and students propel the teachers to do
AftertakingleavetospendtimewithElla(above)Pollinreturnedtoschool. their best at both jobs.
Daniel Moon
business manager
t is hard enough to be a teacher, spending hours
teaching hundreds of kids, grading assessments,
and planning for classes. It is another thing to be
pregnant, which makes completing day-to-day activities
harder, while teaching. Together, the factors create a tough,
laborious job that only those who are devoted and persistent
can handle. The job is not impossible, though, as the teachers
of Wootton prove every day.
Social studies teacher Mrs. Shelbie Webb was thrilled
when she first found out that she was pregnant. “I was just
so excited, but freaked out at the same time,” Webb said.
Webb is now six months pregnant and will see her first
child, Austen Warner Webb, when he arrives next March.
Teaching two AP Government and three Sociology
classes, Webb admits that it is hard to keep up with her
duties as a teacher while pregnant–especially because she has
four class periods in a row.
From rushing to bathrooms to simply standing during
classes, pregnant teachers have to cope with everyday
physical difficulties that other expecting mothers may deal
with more easily.
When the baby is born, it will become nearly impossible
for a teacher to complete her job, since the child needs roundthe-clock care. That is why there is the Family Medical Leave
Act, which provides unpaid but job-protected leave for up
to 12 weeks after a child is born. Though she enjoys being a
part of the school community, Webb plans to leave school
for a while to look after Austen.
“The students get excited and are very supportive,”
Webb said. “I’m going to miss the interaction.”
English teacher Mrs. Krista Price, who is now seven
months into pregnancy, does not believe that there has been
much change in her life at school. However, she remarked
that with a “25-pound-boy” in her body, it takes far longer
to walk up the stairs.
The supportive and enthusiastic school community
has helped her in many ways. “Several brilliant (or scared)

I

Dr. Love
With Hanukkah, Christmas, Administrative
Professionals Day, Kwanzaa and Secretary’s Day all
quickly approaching, I have been getting lots of questions
regarding what to get for that “special someone.” Since
it is the season of giving, I have decided that I will share
with you the secrets of my God-given talent of gifting.
Now there are exactly two types of gifts in this
world: gifts for men and gifts for ladies. The rest of
the information in this installation of my column has
been scientifically tested for your enjoyment. The use
of this advice has resulted in slaps, break-ups, pinching,
screaming, crying, death and tonsil hockey; hopefully
your experiences will leave you with the last result (no
guarantees).
ADVICE FOR CHAPS
There are a couple of bulletproof gifts: jewelry,
chocolate, and flowers. Using techniques similar to
James Bond and Frank Sinatra, find out her favorite
types in the flewelate (flowers, jewelry, and chocolate)
plan--and “expensive” is not a type. Once you figure
that out, it becomes all about presentation. Below are
a couple ways to arrange these three objects of desire
for your female:
1) The first approach involves flowers on top of a box of
chocolate with the jewelry hidden inside.
Pro: You get to eat some of the chocolate to make
room for the bling.
Con: It gets messy, and no one likes a dirt-colored
ring.
2) The second approach is all about timing. Give the
flowers first, then the chocolate, and just as she
becomes a little disappointed that your whole gift cost
you $5.25 (LIMITED TIME SPECIAL AT GIANT), you spring
the jewelry on her.
Pro: If timed correctly, this is the most effective way
to have a good holiday.
Con: Most of you will screw this up. Period.
Just as there are some surefire gifts that you can’t go
wrong with, there are some gifts that you will never,
ever recover from. Here are just a few:
-Cash (really thoughtful).
-Any type of homemade certificate
-Diet books, fitness equipment, or anything to do
with a gym. This will lead directly to, “So, you think I’m
fat?”
ADVICE FOR GALS
Although in 98% of relationships, the guy is a pain,
when it comes to gifts, he is pretty straightforward. My
first piece of advice is to keep it simple, and my second is
to buy him something he can use.
The occasional non-tangible gift is never a bad thing
for a woman. Wear something you know he likes, and
if he doesn’t quite love what you just bought him for
Christmas, plant a sloppy one on him to calm the storm.
Here are a couple of ideas that shouldn’t require
physical contact:
-2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur ($202,500).
-Tickets to Jay-Z’s Upcoming Tour ($1,001)
-Cash
For males, gift size does matter, so get something
expensive (the more you spend, the more you care).
My final thoughts on gifts are rather simple. Ladies,
there is no pressure on you, so don’t stress it. For
my brethren on the other hand, you have absolutely
everything riding on this gift so do not screw it up.
Keep on loving,
DR. LOVE

Team bonding boosts athletic morale
Alisa Sonsev
staff writer
As a sports team, it is important
to have chemistry between players off
the field to have them play well on the
field. At Wootton, team bonding has
been practiced for quite some time
and is still carried on through the
many students who play sports today.
Team bonding ranges from traditional
events to new and creative rituals.
The most common kind of
bonding is team dinners. Team
dinners are typically held before or
after games. Junior varsity (JV) boys
soccer, like many other teams, holds
team dinners before every game.
“We all learned more about each
other and that led to us working
better as a team,” sophomore Max
Katz said.
Along with the usual team dinners,
varsity football has their own ways of
bonding as well. They have seven-onseven games and tournaments on the
weekends in the spring and summer,

football camp in the summer, and
gatherings before and after the games.
“All of that makes us closer on
the field, and it also helps us get to
know each other better,” junior Jake
Bradley said.
Besides simple intentions to
improve interpersonal relations, some
teams use different methods to better
their chemistry. The rituals can even
get creative with the hockey team,
according to junior Josh Bretner.
“We listen to Taylor Swift before
every game,” Bretner said.
Some of the more original rituals
belong to the varsity girls’ soccer
team. They have regular team dinners
and watch movies, but they have also
started a new practice called “Dare
Night.” Captains give out different
dares to mini teams formed by the
girls, and each team has to complete
the tasks within a certain amount of
time.
“Stuff like Dare Night and
team dinners makes for really good

chemistry,” junior Kayla Murray said.
“We’re really close on and off the
field.”
The poms squad also dines
together before home games and
even sometimes has sleepovers as
well. More interesting is their use of
secret sisters. Every girl on the squad
has one or two sisters to whom she
gives gifts before all competitions and
some home football games.
Last year, the poms lost their
coach two weeks before their
competition. However, bonding off
the field proved effective to their
success as a team.
“Our squad pulled through, and
the only way it was possible was
because we all love each other and
work together. This year, I think it will
really benefit us because the closer
we are, the easier it is to pump each
other up to push through and be the
best we can be,” junior pom Marissa
Schreiber said.

24

Flipside

Flipside

Common Sense - December 9, 2009

Highlights of Twilight:
New Moon leaves little room for compromise
Jeanie Kim
staff writer
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” the
vampire versus werewolf novel-turnedmovie by Stephanie Myer, came to life in
theaters on Nov. 20 at the hand of director Chris Weitz. The movie follows the
story of Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), an
ordinary girl who carries a possibly fatal secret: her boyfriend, Edward Cullen
(Robert Pattinson) is a vampire.
Although Edward never ceases to
remind Bella that she deserves a better
human than him with overly cheesy yet
poetic lines, all is well in their romantic lives until Swan’s 18th birthday party,
where while unwrapping a present, Swan
gets a bloody paper cut that sets Cullen’s
adopted “brother,” Jasper Hale (Jackson
Rathbone) into a violent blood- craving
fit. At that moment, Bella finally recognizes the danger behind their relationship
that could leave her dead—duh, Edward’s
a vampire.
The story continues with Bella pictured as the damsel in distress until Jacob
Black (Taylor Lautner) comes to rescue
her from her sorrow. The two grow close
through building motorcycles to the point
that one cannot help but feel jealous of
their bond. That soon changes as Jacob
begins to distance himself, leaving Bella
alone once again. But unlike Edward, Ja-

cob has a legitimate excuse—he is a new
werewolf in unstable condition.
The real “fun” starts, though, when
Alice, (Ashley Greene) Edward’s semipsychic sister sees a vision of Bella jumping off a cliff. Upon hearing, Edward sets
off for Italy to commit vampire suicide at
the hands of the Volturi, the closest thing
to vampire royalty. Now it is a race against
time for Bella to go to Italy to prove to
Edward that she is still alive.
Following a storyline following a combination of the plots of Romeo and Juliet,
Withering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, the
movie left the viewers in my theater either
screaming their heads off in support of
either “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob,”
or barely awake as bored spectators. One
thing is certain: the movie leaves room for
no compromise.
For the fans and wanna-be-Bellas, the
movie proves to be a true hit, for not a
second went by without either Jacob or
Edward ripping off their shirts and sending the girls in the first three rows screaming for more—which they get, again and
again and again.
The movie, however, proves to be a
waste of money for others. With a slowpaced storyline and unbelievably fake
graphics, the movie is worth sleeping
through. Looks aren’t everything when
overly dramatic acting, like Pattinson’s,
brings on more laughter than sympathy.
Whether due to the acting or the plot,
the movie is way too predictable and clichéd, copying every cheesy idea of stereotypical fairytales featuring star-crossed
lovers saving each other’s souls: OMG, Edward is about to get killed, what does Bella do?!
While I am skeptical about dullness
of the film, others may call it depressing.
Viewers are forced to spend almost half
the movie watching Bella wallowing in
self-pity, whining non-stop about how life
sucks without her vampire sweet- heart.
“New Moon” retells the typical high
school break-up story stretched over the

photos courtesy of Summit Entertainment

Man on the Moon

Yes, I am a guy, and yes, I saw “Twilight Saga: New Moon.” It was an awful
experience for me. I hated “New Moon”
mostly was because it is the perfect example of bad filmmaking. What really
disturbed me, however, was the fact
that the audience didn’t really watch the
movie.
The title came on screen, and the
theatre full of girls let out little gasps of
excitement, which I thought was cute.
But when girls began to shout at Robert
Pattinson or Taylor Lautner to take their
shirts off, I realized that these girls didn’t
care at all about any theatre-goers who Ilana Avergun
might have actually wanted to watch the editor-in-chief
film; they didn’t care about the film itEvery convenience store is fully
self, either. What I’m getting at is this: Is
stocked with a variety of chocolate Santa
film etiquette dead?
Is it now okay to shout at the screen options. A half dozen radio stations are
and to text and talk to your friends dur- playing carols 24 hours a day. Most TV
ing a movie? You go to a movie to watch stations are in the midst of their Christmas
a movie. What’s the point of sitting in a countdowns, and we are hard pressed
dark room with a giant screen in it if you
to find a commercial that isn’t about
are going to ignore the giant screen? And
it’s not just teenage girls; I have a few Christmas presents or Christmas sales
guy friends who like to chat during mov- or Christmas specials. So Christmas is 16
ies, and I have to warn them before a days away. We get it.
movie starts that they cannot talk. MovNow don’t get me wrong, I think
ies are something to be respected. People that the Christmas season is “the most
spend millions of dollars and years of
wonderful time of the year” too. The carols
their lives to make something that you
can watch. If they wanted you to talk, and cards and cooking and commercials
are all well warranted, but my countdown
they wouldn’t make movies at all.

My Life is Average
Avergun

-Demetri Tzamaras

period of about a year.
“New Moon” is a battlefield pinning
lovers against haters with no one in the
middle. One can only hope that the tension between Team Jacob, Team Edward
and “Twilight” haters can be settled quietly and peacefully in the mean time until
the release of “Eclipse” where fans and
haters alike will welcome (spoiler alert!)
not a Ms. Swan but a soon-to-be Mrs.
Bella Cullen.

“Battle Studies” is a musical wonderland of textures

Katy Tong
features editor
Given his tabloid fixture relationships, lively Twitter account, and dabbling
in fashion and journalism, John Mayer is
the all-American media Renaissance man.
It should come as no surprise, then, that
Mayer’s latest release, Battlefield Studies, is
not only—as its title suggests—a heartbreak handbook of fallen romances, but
also a study in technical craftsmanship that
follows effortlessly from his 2006’s bluescentric Continuum.
Clocking in at a little over 45 minutes, Battle Studies is chiefly an exploration through gorgeous textual landscapes.
Blending cool retro beats and his famed
virtuosity in guitar-playing, Mayer sheds
light on universal themes without resorting
to the cheesy pop pamperings that so many
of his musical peers indulge in.
On “Half of My Heart,” Mayer sings
an elegant duet with Taylor Swift that deftly combines a modicum of country twang
with more popular sensibilities. Though,
for all of her own musical success, Swift is
clearly underemployed in the song, relegated to providing mere harmonies to Mayer’s
blue-eyed croons.
For a concept album based loosely on

photo courtesy of MCT

the tired comparison of relationships as a
form of physical confrontation, however,
Mayer’s innovation as a songwriter is only
lackluster. When he recalls the aftermath of
a failed tryst in the quasi-ballad “Friends,
Lovers or Nothing,” broadcasting that “the
streets all flood with the blood of those
who felt the same” may be overstretching
the already-lightweight metaphor.
Still, Mayer’s sentiments appear to be
whole-hearted as he soulfully sings in neardesperation, “‘Friends, lovers or nothing,
they’ll never be an in-between, so give it

up.” (Presumably, the collapse of his highprofile relationship with Jennifer Aniston
had launched the creative spark behind this
record.)
More interestingly, with his own acknowledgement in “All We Ever Do Is Say
Goodbye”—“I love you more than songs
can say”—Mayer seems to recognize his
shortcomings with a tinge of irony.
Much better is Mayer’s folk-pop confession of a pot-smoker “Who Says,”
where Mayer admits to an unfortunate girl:
“I don’t remember you looking any better/
But then again, I don’t remember you.”
With delicately plucked acoustic guitar and
a feather-light beat, the single is ultimately
the classic Mayer experience.
Among the other highlights in the album is “Assassin,” one of Mayer’s wittier
depictions of love’s battlefield—“I’m an
assassin and I had a job to do/ Little did
I know that girl was an assassin too.” In
his one-man cover of Robert Johnson’s
“Crossroads,” Mayer excels at balancing
the hard-knocks grit of the blues standard
with a sly smoothness that makes it more
fitting for Top 40 radio. For the starry-eyed
melodies of “Edge of Desire,” Mayer expertly rounds out the set and leaves much
to be desired.

clock is just not set to 16.
There is no need for me to look past
the end of the week because my “happiest
season of all” starts this Friday!
As studly as Mr. Claus and his stunning
red jumpsuit suit are, I am a Hanukkah
Harry man myself, and we are just two
tiny days away from the annual debut of
latkes, lights, and lots of p-r-e-s-e-n-t-s.
But come December, Hanukkah seems
to fall by the wayside and slip through
the cracks of the holiday season. Even
though it’s a minor religious holiday, it’s
still majorly fun, and majorly forgotten.
The latkes and lights are left out of all the
season’s greetings and cheer.
I don’t know about you, but I would
think that a holiday that is eight times as
long as Christmas would get eight times
the attention. However, that logic just
doesn’t seem to stick to the population
like Christmas cookies stick to people’s
hearts.
Check it out. There are currently almost
5,000 Hanukkah videos on YouTube. That
doesn’t hold a candle, not even eight, to
the 969,000 videos about Christmas.
However, there are a few miraculous
digital moments that highlight the holiday.
Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song, the
South Park Hanukkah Carol, and a parody
of “Fergalicious” titled “Latkelicious” have
all done well in giving the festival of lights
its fifteen minutes of fame.
I’m not suggesting that Hanukkah
is going to catch up with Christmas, but
I’m just trying to get the holiday of lights
some illumination.
So whether your countdown stands
at two, sixteen, or your “most wonderful
time of the year” comes at a different
number, Happy Holidays!